In a significant development, folk singer Neha Singh Rathore presented herself at Lucknow’s Hazratganj police station on Monday, complying with Supreme Court directives amid a high-profile FIR against her. The court had imposed an interim stay on her arrest but mandated her appearance before investigators at the specified time to assist in the probe.
Arriving promptly at 11 AM, Rathore addressed the media outside the station. ‘The Supreme Court ordered me to appear before the investigating officer at Hazratganj police station on January 19 at 11 AM. I am here to honor that order and will fully cooperate with the judicial process,’ she stated firmly.
The controversy traces back to the horrific terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, where militants targeted tourists by inquiring about their religion before killing them. In response, Rathore shared posts and songs on social media and public platforms. Her most contentious track, ‘Chaukidaru Kayar Ba,’ performed in May 2025, allegedly contained derogatory remarks against the BJP government, sparking outrage.
This led to multiple FIRs in Varanasi and Lucknow, with 318 complaints alone at Lanka police station and over 500 across various stations. Accusations include undermining national integrity and disrupting communal harmony. Complainants highlighted that her content was widely circulated in Pakistan and exploited by their media to criticize India.
The Hazratganj FIR specifically addresses these charges. Earlier, Rathore sought to quash the FIR and anticipatory bail from the Allahabad High Court, but the Lucknow bench rejected her bail plea on December 5, 2025. Police issued notices summoning her, only for the Supreme Court to intervene on January 8, halting arrest while insisting on cooperation.
As investigations proceed, Rathore’s compliance underscores her commitment to legal channels, though the case continues to polarize opinions on free speech versus national security.