The Supreme Court on September 1, agreed to examine concerns raised by journalist Abhishek Upadhyay over the Ghaziabad Police seeking information about his activities on social media platform X.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, was told that the police had sought Upadhyay’s digital footprint from X for a period beginning June 1, 2026.
Background of the Case
Upadhyay is already before the Supreme Court challenging an FIR registered against him in Ghaziabad over an alleged road-rage incident. The FIR was lodged on August 18, 2026.
The journalist has alleged that the case was connected to his reporting concerning alleged irregularities in the handling of Ram Mandir donations. On August 25, the Supreme Court had granted him interim protection from arrest and sought the Uttar Pradesh government's response.
During Tuesday’s hearing, his counsel, Advocate Anoop Prakash Awasthi, said X had informed Upadhyay about a request from the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghaziabad Police seeking his digital information.
Awasthi argued that the requested period began well before the alleged road-rage incident and could therefore expose information connected with Upadhyay’s journalistic work.
“Digital footprints being sought from June 1, 2026 up till date. That is the week when he actually collected the evidence to break the story of Ram Mandir donation theft. I am seeking permission to move an application because if that is disclosed, the entire source will be at the mercy of the State machinery and they will be harassed,” counsel submitted.
He further contended that disclosure of the information could reveal the journalist’s sources to investigating authorities.
The counsel pointed out that the alleged road-rage incident occurred only on August 18, while the police request covered activity from June 1.
The Bench indicated that it would examine the concerns raised regarding the scope of the information sought.
The Supreme Court will next consider the matter on September 7, 2026.
