A Delhi Court has instructed the Delhi Police to register an FIR against journalist Rana Ayyub for allegedly making derogatory posts in 2016-17. The posts are accused of insulting Hindu deities, spreading anti-India sentiment, and inciting religious disharmony.

The court found that the plea presented to it disclosed cognizable offenses and directed the police to investigate the matter "fairly."

Chief Judicial Magistrate Himanshu Raman Singh was hearing an application filed by an advocate who requested the court’s directions to file an FIR against Ayyub. The application alleged that the posts, made on the social media platform X, included insults to Hindu deities and the promotion of religious enmity.

In its order dated January 25, the court noted that prima facie cognizable offenses were evident under sections 153A (promoting enmity between groups on grounds such as religion), 295A (deliberate acts intended to outrage religious feelings), and 505 (statements leading to public mischief) of the IPC. The court emphasized the urgency of an investigation due to the serious nature of the allegations.

The court also stated that the facts presented required state intervention through a police investigation, as the complainant would not be able to gather the necessary evidence. Consequently, the court directed the SHO of the South Delhi cyber police station to convert the complaint into an FIR and conduct a fair investigation.