The Wire condemns J&K police intimidation of journalist Jehangir Ali, seizure of phone

Press Statement by The Wire
New Delhi, December 18, 2025

On the evening of Wednesday, December 17, 2025, police officers from Budgam, Jammu and Kashmir, arrived at the Chrar I Sharief home of senior journalist Jehangir Ali, The Wire’s long-time Jammu and Kashmir correspondent.

Without providing a reason, let alone the details of any FIR, case, warrant or court order, the police officers seized his mobile phone. Contrary to directions issued by the Supreme Court to Central agencies and to universally accepted norms aimed at preserving the integrity of seized electronic devices, they did not provide Jehangir Ali the hash value of the seized phone. Recording of the hash value is essential for ensuring no data is added or deleted from the device while it is in custody.

It is pertinent to note that the seizure of Jehangir Ali’s phone comes against the backdrop of his reporting on allegations of nepotism and corruption in the Ratle hydro power project in Kishtwar. At the time of the police raid, in fact our correspondent was in the midst of another investigative story on the project.

The Wire strongly protests this attempt by the Jammu and Kashmir police and administration to intimidate its correspondent, which is emblematic of the systematic harassment of journalists in J&K.

The Wire also demands the immediate return of his phone along with the detailed chain of custody since the time he handed it over.