The Supreme Court of India on January 7, 2026, granted interim protection from arrest to folk singer Neha Singh Rathore in connection with a First Information Report (FIR) filed against her over allegedly objectionable social media posts related to the Pahalgam terror attack. The posts, made in the aftermath of the April 22, 2025, incident in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, where terrorists killed 26 tourists, reportedly targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). A bench comprising Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Atul S. Chandurkar issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh government and the complainant while directing that no coercive action be taken against Rathore. The court, however, instructed her to appear before the investigating officer and fully cooperate with the probe.

The FIR was registered on April 27, 2025, at Hazratganj police station in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, based on a complaint by Abhay Pratap Singh. It accused Rathore of promoting communal hatred, disturbing public peace, endangering national sovereignty, unity, and integrity, and inciting one religious community against another. Charges were invoked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act. The singer challenged the FIR and the Allahabad High Court's December 5, 2025, rejection of her anticipatory bail plea, which had noted her alleged non-cooperation and the sensitive timing of the posts following the deadly attack.

Neha Singh Rathore, a Bhojpuri folk singer and political satirist originally from Jandaha in Bihar's Kaimur district, is known for her socially and politically charged songs addressing issues like governance failures, corruption, and regional challenges. Her works, such as "Bihar Mein Ka Ba" (2020) and "UP Mein Ka Ba?" (2022), have garnered significant attention on social media platforms. The Pahalgam attack, which occurred in the scenic Baisaran Valley near the tourist town, involved militants targeting visitors—many of them Hindu tourists—after verifying their identities, marking one of the deadliest incidents on civilians in the region in recent years and prompting widespread condemnation and heightened security measures.

Also Read: Activist Urges Supreme Court to Reconsider Aravalli Ruling Amid Protests

The Supreme Court's decision provides temporary relief to Rathore amid ongoing investigations, with the matter scheduled for further hearing after eight weeks. The ruling underscores the balance between freedom of expression and restrictions for maintaining public order, as highlighted in prior court observations. Rathore's counsel argued that the charges, including those related to mutiny and waging war against the state, were disproportionate, while the state emphasized the need for her cooperation. The case continues to draw attention to the intersection of social media commentary, political criticism, and legal accountability in the context of national security incidents.

Also Read: Talha Saeed Now Runs Lashkar as Group Rebuilds After India’s Sindoor Strikes