Chandigarh | Gurminder Singh Samad I January 12, 2026

FIR Stayed Journalism Not a Crime: In a significant rebuke to the Punjab Government, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has stayed further investigation in an FIR registered against four journalists and activists, observing that criminal law cannot be set in motion merely because a person holding public office feels offended.

The case arises from FIR No. 67 dated 12 December 2025, registered at Police Station Cyber Crime, Ludhiana, under Sections 353(1), 353(2), and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, following the publication of a news story based on publicly available flight-tracking data .

Who Are the Accused

The petitioners include:

  • Manik Goyal, a law student and RTI activist
  • Baljinder Singh @ Mintu Gurusaria, journalist and satirist
  • Maninderjeet Singh, owner and editor of Lok Awaz Television
  • Mandeep Singh Makkar, journalist and law graduate

Their alleged offence: publishing a report analysing helicopter flight data during a period when the Chief Minister of Punjab was abroad .

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RTI Denied, Journalism Criminalised

The controversy began when Manik Goyal sought information under the Right to Information Act, 2005 regarding government expenditure on chartered aircraft and helicopters since March 2022. Authorities denied the information citing Section 24 (security exemption).

However, the petitioners argued — and the Court took note — that helicopter movement data is already available in the public domain, including on platforms such as FlightRadar24, undermining the claim that the information was sensitive or protected .

Despite this, an FIR was registered alleging that the journalists had:

  • Misinterpreted flight data
  • Spread misinformation
  • Undermined public confidence
  • Threatened public order in a “sensitive border state”

High Court’s Key Observation: Offence Is Not Hurt Sentiment

Justice Vinod S. Bhardwaj, while staying further investigation, made a crucial observation that strikes at the heart of press freedom:

“Merely because a person holding a public office feels offended may not be the yardstick on which State action is to be measured.”

The Court emphasised that:

  • Criminal liability must have a direct nexus, not a remote or speculative one
  • Artificial or motivated claims of disturbance cannot justify prosecution
  • The test must be that of ordinary prudence, not executive discomfort

State’s Argument vs Constitutional Safeguards

The Punjab Government argued that the content was “inflammatory” and capable of disturbing public tranquillity, urging the Court to allow investigation to continue under the principles laid down in Neeharika Infrastructure v. State of Maharashtra.

However, the Court balanced this against a long line of Supreme Court precedents — including Romesh Thapar, Kedar Nath Singh, and Bennett Coleman — reaffirming that freedom of the press is a foundational pillar of democracy and cannot be curtailed through FIRs masquerading as law-and-order action .

A Larger Question for Punjab

While the Court also noted that media must adhere to journalistic ethics, it clearly stated that whether the content violates those standards is yet to be determined, and until then, continuation of criminal proceedings would prejudice fundamental rights.

The stay on investigation remains in force until the next hearing on 23 February 2026 .

Why This Order Matters

This case is not merely about one FIR or one story. It raises a deeper question:

Can governments use cyber crime laws and national security rhetoric to criminalise journalism based on publicly available information?

For now, the High Court’s answer is clear: No — not without crossing the Constitution.

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FAQs | Punjab Govt FIR Against Journalists Case

1. What is this case about?

This case concerns an FIR registered by the Punjab Police against four journalists/activists for publishing a news story based on publicly available helicopter flight-tracking data. The FIR alleged misinformation, threat to public order, and obstruction of government functioning. The Punjab and Haryana High Court has stayed further investigation in the matter.

2. Who are the journalists named in the FIR?

The FIR names:

  • Manik Goyal (law student & RTI activist)
  • Baljinder Singh @ Mintu Gurusaria (journalist & satirist)
  • Maninderjeet Singh (Editor, Lok Awaz Television)
  • Mandeep Singh Makkar (journalist & law graduate)

3. What exactly did the journalists publish?

They published a news report analysing helicopter flight data during December 2025, a period when the Chief Minister of Punjab was abroad. The data was sourced from public flight-tracking platforms already accessible to anyone.

4. Why did the Punjab Government register an FIR?

The State alleged that the report was distorted, misleading, and capable of disturbing public tranquillity. It claimed the content could erode public confidence and affect administrative harmony in Punjab, a border state.

5. What laws were invoked against the journalists?

The FIR was registered under Sections 353(1), 353(2), and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which relate to obstruction of public servants and criminal conspiracy.

6. Why is this case linked to the RTI Act?

One of the petitioners had sought information under the RTI Act, 2005 regarding government expenditure on aircraft and helicopters. The information was denied under Section 24 (security exemption), despite similar information being available in the public domain.

7. What did the High Court say about press freedom?

The High Court observed that criminal law cannot be triggered merely because a person holding public office feels offended. It reaffirmed that criticism, satire, and reporting on matters of public importance are protected under the Constitution.

8. Did the Court say journalists are above scrutiny?

No. The Court clarified that media must adhere to journalistic ethics and accuracy. However, it stated that whether those standards were violated is yet to be determined, and criminal prosecution at this stage would prejudice fundamental rights.

9. What relief has the Court granted so far?

The Court has stayed further investigation in the FIR until the next date of hearing, thereby protecting the petitioners from coercive criminal action at this stage.

10. Why is this judgment important beyond this case?

The order raises a critical constitutional question:
Can governments criminalise journalism by invoking cyber laws and public order claims when reporting is based on public information?
The Court’s interim answer is clear — criminal law cannot be weaponised to silence legitimate criticism.

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Disclaimer

This publication is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not substitute for professional advice in any field.

Our editorial work aligns with the principles of:

  • Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India (Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression)
  • Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) (Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression)
  • International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Global Charter of Ethics for Journalists
  • Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Code of Ethics (U.S.)
  • World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) principles of accessibility, transparency, and responsible digital publishing.

While we strive for accuracy and fairness, Samvad News does not guarantee completeness or absolute correctness of information. Readers are encouraged to verify facts independently and exercise judgment before making personal, financial, or legal decisions based on this content.

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