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HC stays probe against RTI activist, 3 journalists over CM helicopter post

Justice Vinod S. Bhardwaj issued notice of motion to the State of Punjab, returnable on February 23.

3 min readChandigarhJan 13, 2026 10:56 AM IST

Punjab and Haryana High Court stays FIR against RTI activist and three journalists over social media post on Punjab CM’s helicopter use

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday granted interim relief to a law student–RTI activist and three journalists, staying further investigation in an FIR registered against them over a social media post questioning the use of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s official helicopter during his absence abroad.

Justice Vinod S. Bhardwaj issued notice of motion to the State of Punjab, returnable on February 23.

The petitioners, namely, Manik Goyal, a law student and RTI activist, and journalists Baljinder Singh alias Mintu Gurusaria, Maninderjeet Singh and Mandeep Singh Makkar, had approached the High Court under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, seeking quashing of FIR No. 67 of 2025. The FIR was registered on December 12, 2025, at the Cyber Crime Police Station, Ludhiana, under Sections 353(1), 353(2) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

The case arises from a social media post made by Goyal on December 9, 2025, flagging the movement of the Chief Minister’s helicopter, bearing registration number VT-PSG, on December 8. At the time, Chief Minister Mann was on an official visit to Japan from December 1 to 10.

According to the petitioners, the FIR “originates from a bona fide public query” raised by Goyal regarding the use of the helicopter on a date when the Chief Minister was “admittedly out of India on an official foreign delegation”.

The petition states that the information shared in the post was sourced from FlightRadar24, a publicly accessible and lawful flight-tracking platform. By entering the helicopter’s registration number, Goyal observed that on December 8 the aircraft undertook multiple sorties within Chandigarh, flew to Amritsar, travelled onward to another location and then returned to Chandigarh. The post, the plea says, merely shared publicly available data and raised issues of transparency in the use of public resources.

The issue subsequently triggered wider discussion, with the three journalist-petitioners raising similar questions on their respective platforms and interviewing Goyal. The petition alleges that instead of clarifying the matter, the State chose to initiate criminal proceedings.

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It further points out that there is no private complainant in the case. The FIR, it says, was registered solely on the complaint of a police officer, Inspector Satbir Singh, and does not disclose any grievance raised by a member of the public. The plea also claims that while the FIR acknowledges that the helicopter flew on the relevant date and was used by a person holding a constitutional post, it conceals the identity of that person and the purpose of the flight.

The petitioners argue that even if the allegations in the FIR are accepted at face value, no cognisable offence is made out. They contend that raising questions, sharing publicly available information and participating in public debate are protected under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution, and that the FIR is intended to stifle dissent and independent journalism.

The plea also refers to Goyal’s earlier attempts to seek information through RTI applications filed in 2024 regarding government expenditure on helicopters and aircraft since March 2022, which were rejected on the ground of security exemptions under Section 24 of the RTI Act.

Senior advocate R.S. Bains argued the case for the petitioners, assisted by advocate Loveneet Thakur.
The interim order stays all further proceedings in the FIR until the next date of hearing.

Manraj Grewal Sharma

Manraj Grewal Sharma is a senior journalist and the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Chandigarh, where she leads the newspaper’s coverage of north India’s most politically and institutionally significant regions. From Punjab and Haryana to Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, she oversees reporting at the intersection of governance, law, politics and society. She also reports on the diaspora, especially in Canada and the US. With a career spanning journalism across several countries, academia and international development, Manraj brings a rare depth of perspective to regional reporting. She is widely regarded as a leading chronicler of Punjab’s contemporary history and socio-political evolution, particularly its long shadow of militancy, federal tensions and identity politics. Her book, Dreams after Darkness, remains a definitive account of the militancy years and their enduring aftermath. Professional Background & Expertise A gold medalist in mass communication and a post-graduate in English literature, Manraj has a multifaceted career spanning journalism, academia, and international development. She was also awarded a fellowship by National Foundation of India and did several in-depth pieces on Manipur. Internationally, she has reported from Israel, US, UK, Myanmar, and Mauritius Her key focus areas include: Regional Politics, History, Agriculture, Diaspora, and Security. Of late, she has started focusing on Legal & Judicial Affairs: Much of her recent work involves reporting on high-stakes cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, ranging from environmental policy to civil rights. International Consulting: She previously served as a consulting editor for the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network and a publishing consultant for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila. Academia: For five years, she was the managing editor of Gender, Technology and Development, a peer-reviewed international journal at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage focuses heavily on judicial interventions and regional governance: 1. Environment & Governance "‘NGT can’t test legality of policy’: HC hears challenge to Punjab’s ‘Green Habitat’ plan" (Dec 22, 2025): Covering a critical legal battle over whether the National Green Tribunal has the authority to strike down a state policy regularizing farmhouses on delisted forest land. "High court pulls up Punjab poll panel over audio clip probe" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on judicial concerns regarding the transparency and fairness of local body elections. 2. Legal Rights & Social Welfare "HC issues notice to Punjab, Haryana over delay in building old age homes" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on a contempt petition against top officials for failing to establish government-run homes for the elderly as promised in 2019. "Victims can appeal acquittals in sessions court without seeking special leave" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant procedural shift in criminal law following a Supreme Court ruling. "HC upholds benefits for Punjab FCI officer acquitted in 20-year-old bribery case" (Dec 19, 2025): A report on the concept of "honourable acquittal" and its impact on employee benefits. 3. Human Rights & Identity "As Punjab denies parole to MP Amritpal Singh, HC asks it to submit ‘foundational material’" (Dec 1, 2025): Covering the legal proceedings regarding the radical preacher and sitting MP's request to attend Parliament. "Protecting life paramount: HC backs Muslim woman in live-in after verbal divorce" (Nov 6, 2025): Analyzing judicial protections for personal liberty in the context of traditional practices. Signature Beats Manraj is recognized for her ability to decode complex judicial rulings and relate them to the everyday lives of citizens. Whether it is a 30-year-old land battle in Fazilka or the political implications of Kangana Ranaut’s candidacy in Mandi, her writing provides deep historical and regional context. Contact @grewal_sharma on X manrajgrewalsharma on Instagram ... Read More

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