Lucknow – Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai has written to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), urging an independent inquiry into what he called the growing number of criminal cases and police actions against journalists, digital media professionals and independent reporters in the state. In his letter on Thursday, Rai said the frequent use of criminal law against media persons was impacting freedom of speech and press freedom guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. What Rai Said “If journalists cannot report on public interest issues without fear, it will hurt not just the media but also democratic accountability and citizens’ rights,” Rai stated. He alleged that several cases filed against reporters in UP in recent years had become a matter of national concern. Cases Cited Rai referred to: An FIR against senior journalist Abhishek Upadhyay at Hazratganj police station in Lucknow on June 27, 2026, and another case in 2024 Cases involving journalist Mamta Tripathi, reporters of The Wire, fact-checker Mohammed Zubair of Alt News, and late journalist Vinod Dua He noted that bodies like the Editors Guild of India, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the Press Club of India, legal experts and civil society members had also raised concerns. What He Demanded From NHRC Rai asked the commission to: Review all criminal cases registered against journalists and digital media workers in UP from 2020 onwards Seek a report from the UP government and DGP Take inputs from Editors Guild, Press Club of India, CPJ and state journalist associations before giving recommendations to protect press freedom Post navigation Opposition: Vande Mataram Bill Goes Against Constitution Aizawl To See Church Protest Over FCRA Amendment
