ANI Editor Smita Prakash Faces Court Case Over Fake ECI News
Lucknow court has ordered a probe against ANI editor Smita Prakash for allegedly publishing unverified reports citing “ECI sources.” The case highlights concerns over fake news and its impact on voter roll updates during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
New Delhi: A Lucknow court has ordered a formal investigation into ANI’s editorial director, Smita Prakash, over allegations of publishing news based on unverified “Election Commission of India (ECI) sources.” Former IPS officer Amitabh Thakur filed the complaint last week, citing multiple stories that he claims misrepresented ECI actions during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists.
On September 20, Magistrate Pankaj Kumar Srivastava directed police to register a case and investigate under Sections 499/500 (defamation), 153A (promoting enmity), and 505(2) (public mischief through false statements) of the IPC.
Thakur argued that ANI repeatedly published sensational stories, including claims about special voter ID verification camps and deportation-linked voter purges, without any official confirmation from the ECI. “This isn’t sloppy reporting; it’s sabotage,” Thakur told reporters outside the courtroom.
Timeline of Controversial ANI Stories
To unpack the disputed dispatches, here’s a quick timeline of the alleged offenders – straight from Thakur’s 15-page plaint (sourced via court records and archived ANI feeds):
| Date | ANI Headline/Claim | ECI Response | Why It’s Questioned |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 28, 2025 | “ECI to launch special camps for migrant voter ID checks” | None; ECI silent | Contradicted official SIR guidelines |
| Sep 5, 2025 | “Poll panel sources: Deportation data to feed voter deletions” | Denied via informal advisory | Could create migration panic |
| Sep 12, 2025 | “ECI mulls birthplace probes in border states” | No mention in official circulars | Timed with Assam polls; unverified |
| Sep 15, 2025 | “Sources say ECI targeting Rohingya in rolls” | ECI tweet: “Stick to facts” | Risks communal spin; no documents |
| Sep 18, 2025 | “Voter purge to hit 10% in UP via ECI directive” | Absent from CEO meetings | Inflates scale; pre-SIR hype |
(Table compiled from Thakur’s complaint excerpts and ECI archives; cross-verified with Bar & Bench and LiveLaw reports)
ANI has not publicly responded to the court order. Meanwhile, the case has sparked debate on media ethics and verification standards. Some social media users welcomed the action as a step against fake news, while others warned of potential overreach and questioned the timing amid voter list revisions.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for October 4, with Lucknow police tasked with investigating the alleged misreporting. The case underscores the challenges of responsible reporting during politically sensitive operations like the SIR and its impact on voter confidence.
Also Read: ECI Orders Nationwide Voter List Cleanup by September 30: What is SIR and Who It Targets
