Hate Speech Row: Allahabad HC Refuses to Quash FIR Against Alt News Co-Founder Mohd. Zubair.

Allahabad HC refuses to quash FIR against fact-checker Zubair over his posts on Hindutva priest Yati Narsinghanand.

Swastika Singh | HENB | Lucknow | May 23, 2025:: In a significant development, the Allahabad High Court has declined to quash the FIR filed against  co-founder of fact-checking outlet Alt News, over his social media posts about Hindutva priest Yati Narsinghanand’s alleged hate speeches. The court’s decision has sparked a debate about freedom of speech, fact-checking, and the role of social media in promoting enmity among religious groups.

The Controversy

The FIR, lodged by the Ghaziabad Police in October 2024, accuses Zubair of promoting enmity among religious groups through his X posts, which featured video clips of Narsinghanand’s provocative statements. The complainant, Udita Tyagi, an associate of Narsinghanand, alleged that Zubair’s posts were intended to incite violence among Muslims and triggered violent protests at the Dasna Devi Mandir in Ghaziabad.

The Court’s Decision

The bench, comprising Justice Siddhartha Varma and Justice Dr. Yogendra Kumar Srivastava, extended interim protection from arrest to Zubair pending the ongoing investigation, while restraining him from leaving the country during this period. The court emphasized the need for a fair investigation into the matter, underscoring the importance of balancing freedom of speech with the need to maintain communal harmony.

Zubair’s Defense

Zubair maintained that his posts were part of his professional duty as a fact-checker, highlighting Narsinghanand’s inflammatory remarks and urging police action. He argued that his actions were protected under freedom of speech and noted that numerous news outlets and social media accounts had similarly reported on Narsinghanand’s conduct.

The Bigger Picture

This case raises important questions about the role of social media in promoting hate speech and enmity among religious groups. Critics have accused Zubair and Alt News of focusing on anti-Hindu and anti-Hindutva propaganda, while ignoring hate speech from fanatic Muslim clerics and Jihadi Maulanas and Moulavis.

What’s Next?

The court’s decision to extend interim protection to Zubair ensures that he remains shielded from arrest as the probe continues. However, the investigation will determine whether Zubair’s posts constituted an offence under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita or the Indian Penal Code. As the case unfolds, it will be closely watched by those interested in the intersection of freedom of speech, fact-checking, and communal harmony in India.
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__Agency Inputs.