The International Press Institute (IPI) has urged authorities in Assam to drop Section 152 charges against The Wire, its founding editor Siddharth Varadarajan, and senior journalist Karan Thapar, calling the charges a clear retaliation for the outlet’s critical reporting. Section 152, part of India’s new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), criminalizes acts endangering the country’s “sovereignty, unity, and integrity,” replacing the controversial sedition law, Section 124A.
IPI warns that the vague wording of Section 152 risks stifling press freedom by enabling authorities to target independent media. “The revival of India’s sedition law under a new guise is deeply troubling,” said IPI Executive Director Scott Griffen. “Its broad definitions can be weaponized to silence journalists.”
The charges stem from a July 11 First Information Report (FIR) filed by Assam police following a complaint by a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader over The Wire’s report on Operation Sindoor, which included comments from India’s defense attaché to Indonesia. A second FIR was filed on August 12, naming Varadarajan and Thapar, with no details of the alleged offense provided.
On August 12, India’s Supreme Court granted interim relief, barring coercive action against The Wire or Varadarajan’s arrest. The court questioned whether Section 152’s potential for abuse renders it unconstitutional. The Press Club of India also condemned the Assam police’s actions, demanding that the investigations be dropped.
The Wire, a leading independent news outlet co-founded by Varadarajan in 2015, has faced repeated defamation suits and criminal cases for its critical reporting. This marks the second high-profile use of Section 152 against independent media, following a case against Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair in December 2024.
IPI calls on the Supreme Court of India to take permanent steps to prevent further misuse of Section 152, warning of a chilling effect on press freedom and democracy.