Allahabad High Court: Denial of Relief to Neha Rathore in FIR Over Pahalgam Terror Attack Posts

Allahabad High Court refused to quash FIR filed against singer Neha Rathore for social media posts commenting on the Pahalgam terror attack, which were alleged to show “disrespect” to the Prime Minister. The petitioner sought relief alleging violation of free speech, overbroad FIR. But the Court held that the state’s interest and investigation requirements cannot be lightly brushed aside. The FIR was allowed to stand for now, as jurisdiction and merits are to be examined in trial. Key point: expression on social media involving high profile events may attract legal scrutiny, and courts may be reluctant to intervene pre-trial in such cases especially involving alleged offences against public figures.