Delhi Police serves notice to journalist Swati Chaturvedi, seeks source of information

As of now, neither the Delhi Police nor the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued an official statement on the matter

by e4m Staff
Published: Mar 30, 2025 2:26 PM | 2 min read

Senior journalist and author Swati Chaturvedi has received a notice from the Delhi Police seeking the source of a news item she shared on X (formerly Twitter) related to the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.

The notice, issued under Section 91 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), asks Chaturvedi to disclose how she obtained the information she posted. The tweet in question, now deleted, allegedly referred to sensitive electoral data and possible discrepancies in the voter turnout or related processes.

Reacting to the police notice, Swati Chaturvedi took to X, calling the move “shocking” and expressing concern over what she termed as harassment of journalists. She stated, “The Delhi Police has sent me a notice asking me to reveal my source for a tweet I posted. This is deeply disturbing. Journalists are not criminals.”

Legal experts point out that while Section 91 of the CrPC empowers the police to demand documents or information believed to be necessary for an investigation, the constitutional safeguards for the press, including the right to protect sources, are well established in democratic jurisprudence.

The incident has reignited debates about the increasing pressure on independent journalists and the thin line between legitimate law enforcement inquiries and intimidation tactics. Several media associations have reportedly begun deliberations on issuing a joint statement condemning the action.

As of now, neither the Delhi Police nor the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued an official statement on the matter.