Supreme Court Quashes Police Demand for Journalist’s Digital Data from Social Media Platform

The Supreme Court set aside a Ghaziabad Police notice seeking extensive digital information relating to journalist Abhishek Upadhyay from social media platform X and directed release of his seized vehicle.

Background and legal issue

The demand arose in a road-rage-related investigation and extended to personal and account-related data. The journalist challenged its breadth and its connection with the alleged offence.

Court’s reasoning and procedural position

The Court considered the information request excessive for the investigative purpose described and rejected the sweeping approach. The ruling concerns this particular notice rather than an absolute prohibition on lawful data requests.

Legal consequence and next step

Police cannot rely on an overbroad demand that the Court has quashed. Any further investigative action must have an adequate legal basis and remain proportionate to the case.