HC denies anticipatory bail to Gurdaspur journalist, says social media channel handler must be held accountable

Chandigarh, September 12: Dismissing the anticipatory bail plea of a social media journalist, the Punjab and Haryana High Court stated that social media channel owner not only needs to be more responsible but has to be made accountable.

The HC's remarks came as it heard a plea for protection from arrest from Gurdaspur's Narinder Kaur, who runs one such channel.

Notably, Batala Police filed an FIR against Narinder Kaur on August 4th, after complaints of extortion, criminal intimidation, and criminal conspiracy.

According to the complaints, the woman social media journalist and co-accused ran a YouTube news channel, and on July 3, an alleged fake news story about an NIA raid at the complainant's hospital was broadcast.

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As per the complaint, “fake photographs were posted with an intent to blackmail the complainant and extort money. It has been alleged that the petitioner along with the co-accused raised an illegal demand of Rs 1 lakh to stop the said news."

Ruling on the matter, the High Court said, “Owing to the expanse of the material published on social media any misinformation thereupon has an effect of ruining the reputation of any person within hours," and dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of the social media journalist.

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-PTC News