1 hr ago
High Court Stays FIR Against Journalist Over School Report
A journalist named Amit Yadav reported problems at a government school in Lucknow.
He said the school had dirty toilets and no drinking water.
School authorities later filed a police case against him.
They said he entered without permission, disturbed classes and pressured teachers.
They also said his report was politically biased.
The Allahabad High Court paused the police case.
The judges said officials should investigate and fix school problems instead of blaming the reporter.
The court also asked a senior education official to report on the school’s condition.
The Allahabad High Court stayed an FIR against journalist Amit Yadav over his report on alleged poor conditions at a Lucknow government school.
Yadav said the school had dirty toilets, no drinking water and other infrastructure problems.
The FIR alleged that he entered without permission, disrupted classes, pressured two teachers and acted with political bias.
The court said the state appeared to be “killing the messenger” instead of addressing the reported deficiencies.
The court ordered Uttar Pradesh’s additional chief secretary for basic education to submit an affidavit on the school’s current condition within four weeks.
- Who
- Journalist Amit Yadav, the Uttar Pradesh authorities and the Allahabad High Court are central to the case.
- What
- The Allahabad High Court stayed an FIR filed against Yadav after he reported alleged poor conditions at a government school.
- Where
- Purva Madhyamik Vidyalaya in Gosaiganj, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
- When
- Yadav visited the school on August 20; the FIR was registered on August 24, and the court passed its order on Tuesday.
- Why
- Yadav challenged the FIR, while authorities alleged that he entered without permission, disrupted classes, pressured teachers and filed a politically biased report.
Journalist’s account
Authorities’ allegations
Condition of the school
Journalist’s account
Yadav reported that the school was poorly maintained, with dirty toilets and no drinking water; photographs before the court prima facie showed an “abysmal condition.”
Authorities’ allegations
The FIR claimed that the school was in excellent condition and that its toilets were clean.
Conduct during reporting
Journalist’s account
Yadav said he visited the school as part of his work as a reporter.
Authorities’ allegations
The FIR alleged that he entered without permission, disturbed classes, pressured two women teachers and acted with political bias.
Response to the report
Journalist’s account
The court said authorities should have addressed the reported deficiencies and described the action as appearing retaliatory and akin to “killing the messenger.”
Authorities’ allegations
Authorities responded by registering an FIR under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, leading Yadav to challenge it in court.
Key facts
- Journalist
- Amit Yadav
- School
- Purva Madhyamik Vidyalaya in Gosaiganj, Lucknow
- Reported problems
- Dirty toilets, no drinking water and other alleged infrastructure deficiencies
- FIR date
- August 24
- Police station
- Gosaiganj police station
- Court action
- The Allahabad High Court stayed the FIR
- Next step
- The Uttar Pradesh additional chief secretary for basic education must file a personal affidavit on the school’s current condition within four weeks
Quotes
Amit Yadav
Journalist who reported on the school and challenged the FIR
“victory of truth over lies”
scroll.in
Sources
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