Karnataka High Court Directs No Coercive Steps Against Aaj Tak, Journalist Sudhir Chaudhury Over Alleged Communal Coverage

The Karnataka High Court on Friday, by way of an interim order, directed the State government to not initiate any coercive steps against news channel Aaj Tak and its former editor Sudhir Chaudhury till January 13, 2026, in a case registered against them over alleged communal coverage of the State government's Svalambi Sarathi Scheme. 

Justice M. I. Arun, while disposing of the application seeking stay, said, “The case of the petitioner is that the petitioner news channel has analysed the policy of the State and that there is no incitement to violence; it is submitted that it has only highlighted the appeasement politics of Government of Karnataka and it cannot be termed as incitement of violence.”

It added, “Though the respondents together submit that the news item consists of material about the policy, on the face of it they are not able to show the falsehood in the statements made by the news channel. At their request call on January 13. Till such date respondents State shall not initiate any coercive steps against the petitioners.”

During the hearing, the court also indicated that the respondents were required to state whether the news item had spoken the truth about the policy; “they might have deciphered and dissected, it may be inflammatory, but whether they have spoken the truth or falsehood. What is the falsehood… I will ask them the question,” the court indicated.

It added, “If you admit it is the truth then the petition will be allowed. If the court comes to the conclusion they have spoken falsehood and it has potential of incitement then the petition would be dismissed.”

For context, the FIR states that in a September 11, 2023 news programme, Chaudhary claimed that the Karnataka government was providing the scheme only to the minorities and not to the non-minority Hindus, and that it is practicing minority appeasement in the State. The alleged comments in the report were regarding the scheme of the Karnataka State Minorities Development Corporation Ltd., whereby subsidy is given to religious minorities for purchase of vehicles.

Chaudhary is booked under Sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, etc.) and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) of the Indian Penal Code. The offences entail a punishment of 3 years' jail term. The FIR is lodged on a complaint filed by the Administrative Officer of the Karnataka State Minorities Development Corporation Ltd. “Despite being fully aware of the statements he is making, by publishing such news, he is hatching a conspiracy to disturb communal harmony in the State,” the complainant alleged.

Case Title: Sudhir Chaudhury AND State of Karnataka & ANR

Case No: Criminal Petition 8796/2023 c/w Criminal Petition 8782/2023.