Journalists, Activists Rally Against FIRs Over Social Media Posts
A coalition of journalists, activists, and civil society groups has called for a mass demonstration in Chandigarh on January 4, escalating tensions over what critics are calling state suppression of press freedom and public accountability.
The protest, scheduled for 1:00 PM at Sector 17, comes in response to First Information Reports filed by Ludhiana Cyber Crime Police against ten individuals who questioned the alleged misuse of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s official helicopter during his December 2025 diplomatic visit to Japan and South Korea.
Among those facing legal action are prominent RTI activist Manik Goyal, journalist Mintu Gurusaria, and Maninderjit Sidhu of Lok Awaz TV. The FIRs stem from social media posts that authorities claim were based on “distorted flight-tracking data” intended to incite public mischief.
The Punjab and Chandigarh Journalist Union has condemned the police action as a “New Year gift of suppression,” with the Bathinda Press Club and multiple public organizations pledging support for Saturday’s demonstration.
Imagine questioning a government’s spending on social media, only to find yourself named in a police FIR weeks later. This is the reality for 10 individuals in Punjab, including high-profile RTI activists and journalists, who are now caught in the crosshairs of a deepening legal battle over Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s official helicopter.
While the CM was away on a high-stakes investment tour to Japan and South Korea, flight-tracking data began circulating online, sparking a firestorm of rumours: Who was actually using the state’s wings? At the same time, the helicopter’s boss was thousands of miles away.
Here is everything you need to know about the FIR, the flight data, and the high-profile names caught in the middle.
Timeline of the Punjab Chopper Controversy
- December 1–10, 2024: Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann leads a high-level delegation to Japan and South Korea to attract global investment for the “Progressive Punjab Investors’ Summit.”
- Early December 2024: While the CM is abroad, social media posts begin surfacing featuring flight-tracking data and visuals of the state helicopter. RTI activists question who is using the VVIP chopper in the CM’s absence.
- December 12, 2024: The Rebuttal & FIR: AAP General Secretary Baltej Pannu holds a press conference, dismissing misuse claims. Simultaneously, following a complaint by Inspector Satbir Singh of the Cyber Crime Police Station, Ludhiana, an FIR is registered against 10 individuals/entities under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
- Late December 2024: The Punjab Civil Aviation Department officially clarifies that the helicopter was used by a “duly authorised constitutional authority” (the Governor) for official duties on the dates in question.
- January 1, 2026: The details of the FIR surface publicly. RTI activist Manik Goyal and 9 others—including journalists and social media influencers—are officially named as suspects for allegedly spreading “distorted and misleading” information.
AAP Denies Helicopter Misuse Allegations
According to a news published in Punjabi Tribune, AAP General Secretary Baltej Pannu has dismissed allegations regarding the misuse of the Punjab Government helicopter as “baseless” and “factless.”
Pannu clarified that the helicopter was used by the Governor for a single day for a trip to Amritsar, noting that such use is only possible with the authorisation of the Chief Minister. He challenged the opposition to provide evidence for their claims, asserting that current state resources are used strictly for official purposes—unlike previous administrations, which he claimed used government aircraft for personal leisure and transporting pets.
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