Adani group reporting: DIGIPUB condemns police searches of journalist Ravi Nair’s homes
New Delhi: DIGIPUB News India Foundation, an association of independent digital news organizations and journalists in India, has strongly condemned searches conducted by Gujarat Police at journalist Ravi Nair’s residences in Delhi and Kerala and the seizure of digital devices, raising concerns over press freedom, privacy and due process.
According to Kashmir Media Service, DIGIPUB said in a statement that the searches were carried out in connection with an FIR arising from Nair’s reporting on an investigation published by The Washington Post concerning the Adani Group.
DIGIPUB questioned why Nair, an Indian journalist associated with the reporting, had been subjected to police action over an investigation published by an international news organisation. It said the apparent focus on an individual journalist raised concerns about selective enforcement and the possibility of targeted action.
The organization stressed that journalists must be able to report on matters of public interest without fear of intimidation, harassment or disproportionate state action.
DIGIPUB also expressed concern over the seizure of digital devices belonging to people who are not accused or named in the case. It said police seized a laptop belonging to Nair’s son and the laptop and iPad of his colleague, Sachi Hegde, who was present during the search.
The organization said the seizure of devices belonging to non-accused individuals raised serious questions about the legal basis, necessity and proportionality of the police action.
It called for the immediate return of the devices belonging to people not accused in the case, along with a clear legal justification for each seizure and strict compliance with safeguards governing digital evidence.
DIGIPUB further called for an end to actions that may intimidate or interfere with journalists and urged authorities to uphold press freedom, privacy, personal liberty and due process.
“DIGIPUB stands in solidarity with Ravi Nair and all independent journalists,” the organization said, reaffirming its commitment to defending press freedom and journalists’ rights and opposing attempts to intimidate, harass or suppress legitimate journalism.
