Folk Singer Faces Multiple Charges Over Social Media Posts on PM Modi
Lucknow, December 6, 2025 — The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court has rejected the anticipatory bail application filed by Bhojpuri folk singer and YouTuber Neha Singh Rathore in connection with an FIR registered over allegedly objectionable social media posts regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Pahalgam terror attack.
Court Observations on Freedom of Speech
Justice Brij Raj Singh, presiding over the case, noted that Rathore’s posts on X (formerly Twitter) were directed against the Prime Minister and used his name in a disrespectful manner. The Court emphasized that while Article 19 of the Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression, these rights are subject to reasonable restrictions concerning public order, decency, and morality.
The judicial bench observed that the timing of the tweets was particularly significant, as they were posted at a crucial moment when the unfortunate Pahalgam incident occurred on April 22, 2025. This deadly terrorist attack claimed the lives of 26 civilians, primarily Hindu tourists, in the scenic Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir.
Background of the Pahalgam Terror Attack
The 2025 Pahalgam attack, also known as the Pahalgam massacre, was an Islamist terrorist attack on tourists by at least three armed militants. The attackers, armed with M4 carbines and AK-47s, targeted civilians in one of Kashmir’s most popular tourist destinations. The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba, initially claimed responsibility for the attack.
The incident marked the deadliest attack on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, sending shockwaves across the nation and prompting a massive security response.
The FIR Against Neha Singh Rathore
The FIR was registered at Hazratganj Police Station in Lucknow on April 27, following complaints filed by poet Abhay Pratap Singh and others. The charges against Rathore include multiple serious offenses, notably “endangering the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.”
According to the prosecution, Rathore published alleged “anti-India statements” on her X handle following the terror attack. The investigating authorities alleged that her posts were not only baseless but also anti-religious and anti-national in nature, targeting Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Rathore’s Defense and Claims
In her defense, Rathore maintained that her words were misinterpreted. She stated that her intention was to question the Prime Minister about safety arrangements in the wake of the attack, clarifying that her remarks were not a song but a statement regarding the incident in which many people lost their lives.
Senior Advocate Purnendu Chakravarty, representing Rathore, argued that the FIR was based merely on video clips and tweets constituting a “dissenting voice against the Government,” and that voicing dissent does not equate to committing an offense against the nation or sedition.
Government’s Opposition to Bail
Government Advocate V.K. Singh strongly opposed the anticipatory bail application, submitting that the constitutional rights to freedom of speech under Article 19 are not absolute and come with reasonable restrictions. The State argued that Rathore’s remarks regarding the Bihar elections also transgressed permissible legal boundaries.
The government informed the court that Rathore’s comments had received significant appreciation on social media in Pakistan, raising concerns about national security implications. The prosecution emphasized that at a time when the government was preparing to respond to Pakistan-backed terrorism, Rathore was making posts that could “adversely affect national integrity and incite people to commit crimes against each other on the basis of religion and caste.”
Non-Cooperation with Investigation
A critical factor in the Court’s decision was Rathore’s alleged failure to cooperate with the investigation. The Court found that more than seven months had passed since the FIR was lodged, yet Rathore had not been cooperating with the probe. Despite specific directions issued by a coordinate bench earlier, which had dismissed her petition seeking quashing of the FIR, the singer failed to appear before investigating officers for questioning despite multiple notices.
Previous Legal Proceedings
This order comes approximately 2.5 months after the Allahabad High Court rejected Rathore’s plea challenging the FIR. In that earlier decision, the Court had directed her to participate in the investigation and cooperate with authorities.
The Supreme Court had also declined to grant her interim protection, limiting its relief only to allowing her to seek discharge at an appropriate stage during the trial. The apex court directed her to raise all issues at the time of framing of charges.
Court’s Final Decision
In its detailed 14-page order, the High Court scrutinized the content of the alleged tweets, noting they suggested the Prime Minister visited Bihar to garner votes in the name of nationalism. Justice Singh observed that the applicant made these tweets at a “crucial time” when national security and integrity were under threat.
The anticipatory bail plea was dismissed with liberty to seek legal remedy as may be available under law. Advocates Kaustubh Singh, Arpit Verma, and Shivanshu Goswami appeared for Rathore.
Rathore’s History of Controversial Posts
Neha Singh Rathore, known for her politically charged Bhojpuri songs and social commentary, has previously been at the center of political controversies. She has faced multiple FIRs across Uttar Pradesh for similar allegations related to her satirical and political content, including the widely circulated song “UP Mein Ka Ba.”
Implications and Next Steps
Following the rejection of her anticipatory bail plea, Hazratganj police have formed a special team to locate and arrest the singer, with authorities conducting raids at multiple locations.
The case highlights the ongoing tension between freedom of expression and restrictions on speech during times of national security concerns. Legal experts suggest that Rathore may approach higher courts or seek regular bail after arrest, though the Court’s strong observations about the timing and nature of her posts may present significant challenges.
The Broader Context
The Pahalgam terror attack sparked nationwide outrage and led to significant diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan. The incident occurred during peak tourist season when hundreds of thousands of visitors were holidaying in Kashmir, which has seen a resurgence in tourism in recent years.
The attack prompted India to announce several retaliatory measures, including military operations and diplomatic actions against Pakistan. The government launched Operation Sindoor to neutralize terror infrastructure, and by July 2025, authorities claimed to have eliminated all three terrorists responsible for the Pahalgam massacre.
As this legal battle continues, it remains to be seen how courts will balance constitutional guarantees of free speech with concerns about national security, communal harmony, and public order in the aftermath of one of India’s deadliest terror attacks in recent years.
This is a developing story. More updates will follow as the case progresses through the legal system.
