Senior journalists Siddharth Varadarajan and Karan Thapar have been summoned by Guwahati Police for interrogation in a case related to sedition charges. Both notable journalists have been directed to present themselves before the Crime Branch of the Guwahati Police on August 22.
The identical summonses, a copy of which was shared with the media, state that there are "reasonable grounds" to question the journalists to "ascertain the facts and circumstances" of an ongoing investigation. Police officials have not released any further details about the case. Repeated calls to senior police officers for clarification have gone unanswered.
Leading media organisations on Tuesday have expressed strong disapproval of the police’s move to file a fresh FIR against the two senior journalists, calling it a “vindictive action” and a clear attempt to intimidate the press.
The Editors Guild of India has voiced concern against the summons given to Varadarajan and Thapar, following the registration of a case alleging that they endangered the sovereignty of the country.
According to a statement issued by the representatives of the Press Club of India and the Indian Women Press Corps, the Crime Branch in Guwahati registered the case on August 12 under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The development comes even as the Supreme Court, in an earlier case filed in Morigaon on July 11, had granted Varadarajan and other journalists protection from coercive action.
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Varadarajan received his summons on August 14, while Thapar received his on Monday. The notices warn that "failure to attend/comply with the terms of this notice can render you liable for arrest."
The summonses were issued by Crime Branch Inspector Soumarjyoti Ray, referring to FIR (No.: 03/2025) registered at the Crime Branch under sections 152, 196, 197(1)(D)/3(6), 353, 45, and 61 of the BNS.
Section 152 of BNS addresses acts endangering the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India. It effectively replaced Section 124A of the IPC, which was put on hold by the Supreme Court in May 2022.
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