Full Breakdown
Delhi Court Orders FIR Against Journalist Karishma Aziz Over Alleged Derogatory Posts
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Court Order and Allegations
Chief Judicial Magistrate Mridul Gupta of the Patiala House Courts in New Delhi directed the Cyber Police Station to register a first-information report (FIR) against journalist Karishma Aziz. The order, issued on a Thursday, follows a complaint by Advocate Amita Sachdeva that Aziz posted a series of messages and videos on X between February and April 2025 that allegedly insulted Hindu religious figures, historical personalities such as Veer Savarkar and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sachdeva seeks investigation under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)) Sections 196 (promoting enmity), 299 (outrage of religious feelings) and 353 (public mischief).
Background & Context
Nonetheless, the court emphasized that the complaint presented a pattern of posts rather than an isolated statement, warranting a formal investigation. The court cited the Supreme Court’s ruling in *Lalita Kumari v. Government of Uttar Pradesh* to affirm that police cannot refuse registration of a cognizable offence based solely on an assessment of credibility.
Official Statements & Responses
The magistrate stated that the court is not required to evaluate the truthfulness of the allegations at this stage and that any determination of criminal liability must await investigative findings. The court also ordered the investigating officer to submit a compliance report within one week. Police officials reiterated that, while the posts contain obscenity and target Hinduism, they also fall within the realm of free-speech commentary, reinforcing the need for a balanced inquiry.
Data & Timeline of Alleged Posts
- February 9, 2025 – Post allegedly mocking the physical disability of a Hindu saint.
- February 13, 2025 – Post allegedly containing remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- February 19, 2025 – Video allegedly mocking Hindu warriors, kings and revolutionaries.
- February 20, 2025 – Video allegedly glorifying Aurangzeb while denigrating Hindu icons.
- February 23 & 26, 2025 – Posts allegedly disparaging Hinduism, historical figures and freedom fighter Veer Savarkar.
Impact and Next Steps
The FIR registration obliges the Cyber Police to preserve electronic records, verify the account’s authorship, and collect evidence on dissemination. The court’s directive makes clear that the order does not constitute a judgment on the merits of the allegations. The investigation will determine whether the posts cross the threshold from protected speech to criminal conduct under the cited BNS sections.