Anna varsity sexual assault: SIT seizes journalists’ mobile phones in FIR leak probe 

SIT seizes journalists' phones in FIR leak probe at Anna University, sparking press freedom concerns and legal disapproval.

A special investigation team (SIT) probing the alleged leak of the First Information Report (FIR) in connection with the sexual assault on a student at Anna University last December has seized mobile phones from at least four journalists, and summoned seven more for questioning.

The all-women SIT, constituted by the Madras High Court, has been tasked with investigating two criminal cases: Crime No. 3 of 2024, registered at the All-Women Police Station, Kotturpuram; and Crime No. 107 of 2024, registered at the Chennai East Zone Cyber Crime Police Station. It is also investigating the FIR leak, which had exposed the identity of the victim and led to victim-blaming.

Sources said the SIT summoned four journalists under Sections 179 and 94 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, citing their knowledge of certain facts relevant to the case. They were instructed to appear before the SIT head at the Department of Prisons building at Egmore for recording of their statement and production of any documents or devices related to the case. The journalists appeared before the team on Tuesday and Wednesday, during which their mobile phones and other electronic devices were seized by the investigation officers.

One of the journalists said, “They gave us a set of dossiers containing personal details — whether we had benefited monetarily from circulating the FIR; our marital status (including ‘number of wives’); and property details. After the inquiry, they told me they had seized my mobile phone, and I could recover it from the court after filing a petition.”

The Chennai Press Club condemned the seizure of the journalists’ mobile phones, calling it an infringement on press freedom. “The seizure of mobile phones under the pretext of summoning journalists for inquiry is a blatant act of intimidation and an attack on journalistic freedom. It freezes the contacts and networks journalists have built over the years in the course of their profession,” it said in a statement.

The press club further urged the police to stop harassing journalists who follow the law, and demanded the immediate return of the seized devices.

On Wednesday, a group of journalists met with Director-General of Police Shankar Jiwal to urge an end to the harassment. Meanwhile, several other journalists covering the city’s crime beat were summoned by the SIT.