A team from Telangana Police visited the residence of Doordarshan news anchor Ashok Shrivastava in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad to serve a legal notice in connection with a case registered in Hyderabad.
According to officials, two sub-inspectors from Begumpura Police Station in Hyderabad travelled to Ghaziabad to deliver a notice under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The notice pertains to an FIR filed over remarks allegedly made by Shrivastava about Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during a televised debate.
Police sources said the visiting team coordinated with local authorities before reaching Shrivastava’s residence in the Suryanagar area, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Link Road Police Station. The team reportedly arrived around 8 PM.
However, Shrivastava was not present at the time of the visit. His elderly mother and son were at home when the officers arrived. After confirming his absence, the police team left without serving the notice directly.
Officials have not disclosed detailed contents of the FIR or the precise legal grounds of the complaint, but confirmed that the case originates from Hyderabad and is linked to statements made during a TV debate.
The controversy stems from comments made by Shrivastava during a televised discussion featuring BJP spokesperson Tuhin Sinha, political analyst Syed Javed, Rohit Singh of Yuva Chetna, and Samajwadi Party representative Ashok Yadav.
During the debate, Shrivastava reportedly made sharp and critical remarks targeting Rahul Gandhi, invoking comparisons with Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. The comments were widely circulated on social media, drawing both support and criticism, eventually leading to the registration of a police complaint in Telangana.
The police action has drawn sharp reactions from political figures, with BJP leader Radhika Khera strongly criticising the move. In a post on social media platform X, she questioned the intent behind the police visit and alleged selective targeting.
पवन खेड़ा के लिए अभिव्यक्ति की आज़ादी और पत्रकारों के लिए गिरफ़्तारी!
आजकल तेलंगाना पुलिस फर्जी पासपोर्ट बनाने वाले व महिलाओं के खिलाफ झूठा एजेंडा चलाने वालों को सुरक्षा देती है
और सच बोलने वाले @AshokShrivasta6 जी को गिरफ्तार करने ग़ाज़ियाबाद आती है
क्या तेलंगाना पुलिस राहुल…
— Radhika Khera (@Radhika_Khera) May 2, 2026
“Freedom of expression for some and action against journalists for speaking the truth?” she wrote, further alleging that the Telangana Police was acting under political influence.
Her remarks have added fuel to an already heated debate on freedom of speech and the role of law enforcement in handling cases involving journalists and political commentary.
The notice issued under Section 35(3) of the BNSS is part of procedural requirements in an ongoing investigation. Legal experts note that such notices are typically served to ensure cooperation of individuals in an inquiry and do not automatically imply guilt.
At this stage, Telangana Police have not announced any further action, and it remains unclear whether Shrivastava will be summoned for questioning or if additional legal steps will follow.
The incident has once again brought into focus the growing number of legal cases stemming from televised debates and political commentary in India. With media personalities increasingly facing FIRs across states, questions are being raised about jurisdiction, intent, and the balance between free speech and legal accountability.
As the case unfolds, it is likely to further intensify discussions around press freedom, political sensitivities, and the use of legal mechanisms in addressing controversial statements.
