The actions of the Assam Police against the national news outlet The Wire and its founding editor Siddharth Vardarajan have stirred widespread controversy across the country. The police’s issuance of a fresh summons, despite an interim Supreme Court order, has been accused of blatantly violating the court’s directive. The issue stems from a news report published by The Wire concerning ‘Operation Sindoor’, which quoted an Indian Army officer claiming that the Indian Air Force lost fighter jets to Pakistan due to constraints imposed by political leadership.
On June 28, The Wire published an article titled, ‘IAF Lost Fighter Jets to Pak Because of Political Leadership’s Constraints’: Indian Defence Attache‘. Following its publication, on July 11, a BJP worker filed an FIR at the Morigaon Police Station against The Wire and Vardarajan. Based on this FIR, the police registered a case (No. 181-2025) under Sections 197(1)(d), 152, and 353(1)(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Notably, Section 152 pertains to charges related to sedition. In response, The Wire approached the Supreme Court.
On August 12, a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Jaymala Bagchi, while hearing the petition, issued an interim order directing that no coercive action be taken against The Wire or Siddharth Vardarajan. However, on the same day, the Crime Branch of the Guwahati Police issued a summon in a new case (No. 3/2025) under the same sections as the Morigaon case. This move has sparked criticism, with many viewing it as a direct violation of the Supreme Court’s order.
Noted intellectual Dr. Hiren Gohain also expressed his views, stating in a message to The Crosscurrent, “I learned from a friend today that the Assam Police have issued a summon to Siddharth Vardarajan, a renowned humanist and fearless advocate for democracy, asking him to appear in Assam. Despite the Supreme Court granting him relief in a similar case, this appears to be an attempt to harass him further. Vardarajan is no small fry; he has overcome far greater challenges.”
Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly, Debabrata Saikia, reacted strongly, stating, “The Assam Police have displayed an example of arbitrariness. The government exerts pressure on the media, and under Himanta Biswa Sarma’s regime, the Assam Police seem intent on intensifying this pressure.”
The Raijor Dal has condemned the Assam Police’s action of filing another case against senior journalist Siddharth Vardarajan. The party’s president and MLA Akhil Gogoi stated, “Filing another case after securing bail in one is part of a conspiracy by the BJP government. We demand the withdrawal of the conspiratorial case filed against Siddharth Vardarajan.”
Eminent lawyer Shantanu Barthakur commented on the issue, asserting that filing repeated cases on the same allegations is legally impermissible. He said, “Multiple cases cannot be registered in different police stations for the same issue and allegations. The charges in both cases are identical. The Supreme Court has issued rulings in several past cases against such practices. Filing a case in Guwahati after the Morigaon case, especially after the Supreme Court’s directive, indicates either ignorance of the law by the police or some mala fide intent. This is legally incorrect.”
Congress leader and former MP Abdul Khaleque issued a warning to the government, saying, “The state and the government are distinct entities. Pointing out flaws in the government or its systems is a journalist’s duty, not a crime.”
The incident has raised serious questions about press freedom and the role of the police. The Wire has not yet issued an official statement, but all eyes are on the unfolding developments.