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Content creator who reported on Ram Temple donations theft, corruption in Uttar Pradesh alleges harassment
Journalist Abhishek Upadhyay, who reported on alleged irregularities in Ram Temple donations and corruption in Uttar Pradesh, has moved the Supreme Court challenging an FIR filed against him. The court agreed to list the plea for hearing on Tuesday. Upadhyay alleges the FIR is an attempt to harass him for his journalistic work, while police have denied the allegations.
Supreme Court to Hear Journalist's Plea Against FIR
The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear the plea of journalist Abhishek Upadhyay, who challenged an FIR registered against him by the Ghaziabad Police in connection with an alleged road-rage incident. The plea was mentioned before a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, which agreed to list it for hearing on Tuesday, subject to the petitioner curing defects in the plea, as reported by multiple sources.
Upadhyay, who runs a YouTube news channel, has reported on alleged irregularities in the handling of donations at Ayodhya's Ram temple and on alleged corruption in the Uttar Pradesh government. He maintains that the FIR against him is based on fabricated allegations and is an attempt to harass him for his independent journalistic work. His counsel told the court that multiple FIRs have been filed against him, including one under the stringent provisions of the SC/ST Act, and that police visited his residence on August 20 and again the previous day.
Allegations in the Plea
In the plea, Upadhyay contended that the FIR copy has not been supplied to him and that police were forcing nearby shopkeepers to delete CCTV footage from the relevant time. He has sought the quashing of the FIR, or alternatively, the transfer of the investigation to an independent agency other than the Uttar Pradesh Police. The plea mentioned that the petitioner apprehends imminent arrest and physical harm, and that he is not in a position to safely approach the Allahabad High Court. He also sought that the FIR and other FIRs filed against him be investigated by Delhi Police or the Central Bureau of Investigation.
The FIR was registered at Indirapuram police station on August 18 following a complaint by Nikki Gautam, who alleged that Upadhyay's car hit his motorcycle from behind near Shipra Mall. The complaint details include charges under various sections of the BNS, SC/ST Act, and IT Act, as reported in a single source.
Police response and the journalist's account
According to Upadhyay, October 20 around 10.30 p.m., seven to eight policemen came to his residence, intimidated his wife and minor daughters, and later towed his car. He also claimed that he was communicated via WhatsApp a link to the FIR, which was a single page without details of legal provisions. Police have denied harassment allegations, saying they went to his house to persuade him to join the investigation, a claim reported by one source.
Upadhyay challenged the Ghaziabad Police to release CCTV footage of the incident, alleging that the case was planted. He said the incident occurred on August 18 near Shipra Mall, where a motorcyclist allegedly touched his car and subsequently called the emergency helpline 112. He further claimed that the police team reached his residence late on August 20 and informed him of the case.
Context: Ram Temple donation irregularities
The Supreme Court has been examining a batch of pleas seeking an independent probe into alleged financial irregularities surrounding donations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The pleas have sought a Central Bureau Investigation into the Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, including allegations of misappropriation and missing funds. The Court has directed the constitution of a committee to examine the allegations. In his plea, Upadhyay sought quashing of the FIR or transfer of investigation, and also requested that the present and other FIRs related to his reporting be investigated by Delhi Police or the CBI.
How each outlet told it
ANI (Asian News International)
Framing: Focuses on journalist's move to SC over FIR, ties to Ram Mandir donations row — Neutral, reporting procedural details
Facts Included:
Upadhyay moved SC challenging FIR
Bench of CJI Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana agreed to list tomorrow subject to curing defects
Plea alleged FIR based on concocted allegations and intended to harass
FIR copy not supplied, police pressuring shopkeepers to delete CCTV footage
Sought quashing of FIR or transfer of investigation
SC examining batch of pleas seeking independent probe into Ram Mandir donation irregularities
Framing: Emphasizes journalist's move to Supreme Court and fear of arrest, leaving out the specifics of the road rage incident — Sympathetic to journalist, using phrases like 'fabricated to harass and intimidate'
Facts Included:
Upadhyay moved Supreme Court seeking protection from arrest and quashing of FIR
FIR registered at Indirapuram police station on Aug 18 following complaint by Nikki Gautam
Complaint alleges Upadhyay's Baleno hit Gautam's Splendor near Shipra Mall
FIR invoked BNS sections 281, 351(2), 352, 115(2), 118(1), SC/ST Act sections 3, 2, 5, and IT Act Section 66D
Upadhyay alleged police went to his house on Aug 20, intimidated wife and daughters, towed car
Upadhyay reported on Ram temple donation theft in July
Upadhyay also cited report on Rs 20-crore agricultural land transaction in Bhadohi involving IAS officer
Police denied harassment allegations, said they went to persuade him to join investigation
Framing: Highlights FIR and journalist's claim it was 'planted', omits SC involvement — Neutral to sympathetic, using his claims without overt judgment
Facts Included:
FIR lodged against Upadhyay in Ghaziabad over alleged road-rage
Upadhyay claims case was 'planted' in connection with his reporting
Police team reached his residence late on August 20
Alleged incident took place on August 18 near Shipra Mall
Motorcyclist called police emergency helpline 112
Upadhyay challenged Ghaziabad Police to release CCTV footage
Upadhyay previously reported on alleged Ram temple donation irregularities and corruption in UP government
Car taken away; vehicle gifted by a channel for Ukraine war coverage
Not given a copy of FIR
Posted 10 top stories alleging corruption in UP departments
Political leaders including AAP MP Sanjay Singh, SP leader Pawan Pandey, Congress spokesperson Priyanka Bharti expressed support
Framing: Highlights journalist's move to SC over FIR in road rage case, mentioning his reporting on Ram temple donation 'theft' — Neutral to sympathetic
Facts Included:
Upadhyay moved SC challenging FIR
Claimed police team reached residence late on August 20
FIR based on concocted allegations and attempt to harass
FIR copy not supplied, police forcing shopkeepers to delete CCTV visuals
Sought quashing of FIR or transfer to independent agency
Plea stated apprehension of arrest and harm by planted goons
Requested investigation by Delhi Police or CBI
Alleged incident on August 18 near Shipra Mall, motorcyclist touched car, called 112
Alleged police team came possibly to arrest him, requested CCTV release
Previously reported on Ram temple donation irregularities and UP corruption
Framing: Emphasizes content creator's allegation of harassment, focusing on his reports and claims — Sympathetic, including extensive quotes from Upadhyay and political support
Facts Included:
Upadhyay alleged harassment over reports on corruption and irregularities
Fresh case registered, FIR copy not provided
Motorcyclist approached from rear and made contact with car on August 18, 2026
Motorcyclist alleged hit, asked to accompany to police post
On August 19, uploaded report on IAS officer and agricultural land
Video removed within half-an-hour for bullying and harassment, restored on August 20
On August 20, wife informed of police personnel at residence
No female police personnel present
In-charge of police team asked him to appear at post
At 2.45 a.m. on August 21, received link to FIR with single page without legal provisions
Received another link to FIR from Lucknow in 2025 after reporting murder of NEET student
Police towed away vehicle on same day
Posted 10 stories on corruption in UP PWD, illegal mining, exam irregularities, State Revenue Department
Congress MP Pawan Khera, AAP's Sanjay Singh, RJD spokesperson Priyanka Bharti extended support
Quotes Pawan Khera criticizing Yogi government and Modi
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Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimJournalist Abhishek Upadhyay moved the Supreme Court seeking protection from arrest and quashing of an FIR filed against him.
ClaimPolitical leaders including AAP MP Sanjay Singh, SP leader Pawan Pandey, and Congress spokesperson Priyanka Bharti expressed support for Upadhyay on X.
ClaimUpadhyay's counsel told the court that multiple FIRs have been filed against him, an FIR under the SC/ST Act has been filed, police raided his house on August 20, and police came again at 5 o'clock the previous day.
ClaimThe Supreme Court has been examining a batch of pleas seeking an independent probe into alleged financial irregularities surrounding donations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
ClaimThe Court directed the constitution of a committee to examine the allegations and assist in ensuring an independent and transparent probe into the donations issue.
ClaimThe pleas sought registration of an FIR and a CBI-led probe, besides preservation of donation records, bank statements, audit documents, CCTV footage and other relevant material.
ClaimOn August 19, Upadhyay uploaded a report on allegations involving an IAS officer and two plots of agricultural land worth several crores, purchased in 2023.
ClaimAt 2.45 a.m. on August 21, Upadhyay received via WhatsApp a link to the FIR, which had only a single page without details of legal provisions or the alleged incident.
ClaimCongress MP Pawan Khera said on X: "The man who came to the rescue of the faith of crores of Indians and has been exposing the brazen embezzlement and theft of donations from the Ram Mandir @upadhyayabhii is now being hounded and silenced by the Yogi government through an FIR."
ClaimPawan Khera also said: "The Yogi-Modi duo failed to manage the Trust properly, failed to ensure accountability, and failed to protect the faith and donations of millions of devotees. Now, when someone else is doing the job they failed to do, they are using the machinery of the state to intimidate him and erect every possible obstacle in his path..."
ClaimIn his petition, Upadhyay alleged that around 10.30pm on Aug 20, seven to eight policemen went to his house, intimidated his wife and two minor daughters, and later towed his car.
9 outlets · 11 articles consulted: ANI (Asian News International), Deccan Chronicle, Hindustan Times, ThePrint, THE WEEK, Times Now, The Times of India, The Tribune, The Hindu — World43 claims extractedVersion 4Written 2026-08-24