Journalist Abhishek Upadhyay, who broke the investigative story regarding the alleged embezzlement and theft of donations at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya, has approached the Supreme Court seeking protection against digital surveillance by the Uttar Pradesh Police. The journalist filed a fresh application challenging a notice issued by the Ghaziabad Crime Branch under Section 94 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to social media platform X, which demanded extensive personal IP access logs, device data, and location history dating back to June 1.
Ram Temple Donation Theft Scam – Police Digital Data Demand Pre-dates Alleged August Road Rage FIR
Appearing before a Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Advocate Anoop Prakash Awasthi argued that the police’s demand for data starting from June 1 lacks any logical connection to the alleged August 18 road-rage incident for which the FIR was registered. The counsel pointed out that the requested timeframe directly overlaps with the period when Upadhyay was actively gathering evidence to report on the Ram Temple donation scam. The plea contends that using a minor traffic incident to demand historical digital records constitutes a fishing expedition aimed at uncovering confidential journalistic contacts.
Ram Temple Donation Theft Scam – Journalist Expresses Grave Concern Over Exposure of Whistleblowers
Upadhyay’s application warned that surrendering his complete digital footprint—including IP logs, IMEI numbers, and location coordinates—to the investigating agency would directly compromise his confidential sources. He expressed serious concern that whistleblowers and insiders who shared evidence about financial irregularities at the Ram Temple Trust would be left at the mercy of the state machinery and subjected to targeted harassment. The plea asserts that the action violates the fundamental right to privacy under Article 21 and the freedom of the press under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.
Ram Temple Donation Theft Scam – Supreme Court Notes Existing Protection, Directs Application to Be Listed
The Supreme Court noted that it had already granted Upadhyay interim protection from coercive action in the road-rage case during a previous hearing on August 25. While acknowledging the petitioner’s apprehensions regarding source confidentiality, the bench asked the petitioner to formally file the application, confirming it would be listed for detailed consideration. The primary road-rage matter and associated petitions remain scheduled for further hearing on September 7.
