Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jan 7: The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted temporary protection from arrest to folk singer Neha Singh Rathore in connection with an FIR filed in Uttar Pradesh over her allegedly controversial social media posts about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Pahalgam terror attack.
A bench comprising Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Atul S. Chandurkar issued notice on Rathore’s special leave petition (SLP), which challenges the Allahabad High Court’s December 5, 2025 order denying her anticipatory bail. The Court has also sought responses from the Uttar Pradesh government and the complainant who initiated the case.
The matter has been scheduled for further hearing after eight weeks, with the apex court directing that no coercive action be taken against Rathore in the meantime. However, the bench emphasized that she must cooperate with the investigation and appear before the Investigating Officer starting January 19, warning that failure to do so would be taken seriously.
During the proceedings, Uttar Pradesh Police alleged that Rathore was not cooperating, while her counsel clarified that she had already appeared before the Investigating Officer last week.
The FIR, registered at Hazratganj police station in Lucknow, invokes multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, including Sections 196, 197, 152, 302, and 353, as well as Section 69(a) of the Information Technology Act, 2008. The complaint, filed by Abhay Pratap Singh (alias Nirbheek), claimed that Rathore’s posts on X contained content that could harm national integrity, promote communal disharmony, and were widely circulated, including in Pakistan.
The Allahabad High Court had earlier noted that the posts were made at a “crucial and sensitive time” following the April 22, 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists. The bench observed that the content appeared to disrespect the Prime Minister and could disturb public order. While acknowledging the right to freedom of speech under Article 19 of the Constitution, the court highlighted that this right is subject to reasonable restrictions for public order, decency, or morality.
The high court had rejected Rathore’s anticipatory bail plea, citing her alleged non-cooperation with the investigation despite prior directions. The Supreme Court’s interim order now provides her temporary relief while the case proceeds.