FIR unsettling but it won’t impact my journalism, says Nidhi Suresh of Newslaundry
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – Uttar Pradesh Police in Shahjahanpur have filed an FIR against Newslaundry journalist Nidhi Suresh and others over a report of harassment and extortion of a converted Muslim woman Aisha Alvi by another journalist.
The FIR, which did not mention the news report specifically but the tweet of Suresh and the content of her report on the converted woman, was filed on 4 July on the defamation complaint of journalist Deep Srivastav, who was accused of extorting money from Aisha.
“Twitter handle @nidhisuresh tweeted that in the Tilhar religious conversion case, I demanded money…and also mentioned a writ in Delhi court. Although writ does not mention the channels or reporter’s name, this twitter handle is conspiring against me and blaming me for taking money,” read his complaint.
Suresh was booked under Sections 500 and 501 of the Indian Penal Code.
Newslaundry editor Abhinandan Sekhri told Clarion India that the story has been passed through their rigorous editorial mechanism. And they stood by the story and the journalist. He further said an FIR has been filed to intimidate his media group and journalist. He also said that no media group has issued a statement in their support but many journalists expressed solidarity with them.
Suresh said that the FIR was unsettling but it will not impact her journalism. She will continue to report as she has been doing. She also said that her organization will fight the legal battle on her behalf.
The Newslaundry also pointed out that the FIR was lodged by bypassing the guidelines of the Supreme Court.
“It should be noted that the Supreme Court of India has held that for criminal defamation, the complainant must file a complaint before a magistrate under Section 200 of the Code of Criminal Procedure as the said offences under Section 500 and 501 of the Indian Penal Code are non-cognizable,” it said responding to the FIR.
UP police registered an FIR against me after Deep Srivastava filed a complaint of defamation.
As per law, an FIR for criminal defamation can only be filed after a magistrate’s approval.
UP police bypassed this & registered an FIR under IPC 500 and 501.https://t.co/IPPHbXTS6L
— Nidhi Suresh (@NidhiSuresh_) July 7, 2021
