February 8, 2025 - The Madras High Court has issued a ruling calling the seizing of a journalist’s phone a clear attack on Press freedom. Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan made this observation while disposing of petitions filed by the Chennai Press Club and three journalists whose mobile phones were seized by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in the investigation of the Anna University sexual harassment FIR leak case. The petition sought to restrain the SIT from harassing them.  

The Court said the police action of confiscating journalists' mobile phones under the guise of investigating a criminal case and forcing them to provide access to their personal and private data is an attempt to suppress the Press. 

Justice Ilanthiraiyan said the fear of surveillance is an attack on the Fourth Pillar of democracy, the media. Press freedom and confidentiality are fundamentally interlinked.

The Court directed SIT to return the seized mobile phones immediately, saying that questioning journalists about their family details and confidential sources is a clear violation of the Press Council Act under Section 15(2) which safeguards privileged communication. He also directed the petitioners to co-operate with SIT under the condition that no harassment would take place.

Source: Media Reports