New Delhi, April 29, 2026—Indian authorities in the southern state of Telangana must drop their investigation into social media news outlet TeluguScribe and stop the misuse of anti-terror legislation to silence criticism in the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday.
On April 18, the Intelligence Department of the Telangana Police issued a formal notice to social media company X requesting the registration details, usage logs, and activity data of the account @TeluguScribe, which provides anonymous coverage of the state’s politics and is known to post content critical of its Indian National Congress government.
The notice, a copy of which has been reviewed by CPJ, cites Section 43F of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), India’s main counterterrorism law, which compels individuals and organizations to release information requested by an investigating officer, and carries a penalty of up to three years in prison for non-compliance.
Police have alleged the account contains “derogatory content” and “objectionable language” that could incite hatred, violence, and public unrest.
“Invoking anti-terror legislation to unmask an anonymous news account on social media is a gross overreach of official power and risks having a chilling effect on press freedom,” said Kunal Majumder, CPJ’s Asia-Pacific program coordinator. “The Indian National Congress government in Telangana must stop weaponizing draconian laws to silence critical reporting and ensure that digital news platforms can operate without fear of surveillance or criminal prosecution.”
TeluguScribe in a statement denied the allegations made by police and said that use of the UAPA was a “blatant abuse of power.” The outlet said nearly 70 police cases had been registered against it in the past two-and-a-half years to “muzzle” coverage.
R. Bhaaskaran, deputy inspector general of police with the intelligence department, and X did not immediately respond to CPJ’s emailed requests for comment.