Supreme Court Bars Assam Police from Acting Against Journalist Siddharth Varadarajan

Quick Summary

• The Supreme Court of India restrained Assam police from taking coercive action against senior journalist Siddharth Varadarajan and other journalists working with “The Wire.”
• The order was passed by a Bench of justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi following concerns raised by the journalists’ counsel that the police may circumvent previous court protection orders.
• journalists were summoned on August 22, 2025, over an FIR filed in May; their counsel expressed apprehensions of possible arrest.
• The court directed the journalists to cooperate with the inquiry while requesting Assam Police to follow legal procedures strictly. A status report on developments is expected at the next hearing date.
• earlier, on August 12, 2025, protections for Mr. Varadarajan were granted in relation to an article concerning “Operation Sindoor.”

Indian Opinion Analysis
The case highlights ongoing tensions between press freedom and law enforcement protocols in India. By intervening twice-first on August 12 and again now-the Supreme Court reinforces its commitment to safeguarding individual rights while emphasizing adherence to due process under law. Protecting journalists from undue coercion ensures they are not hindered from performing their role as watchdogs of democracy.

This situation bears importance for IndiaS democratic fabric as it tests how effectively institutions balance investigative accountability with protecting basic freedoms like expression and reporting. Future developments could set meaningful precedents around journalistic safeguards against harassment or intimidation stemming from their reportage.For more details: Read more