Indian journalists C.G. Shankar and S. Mani, along with a boat driver, were detained on March 7 by paramilitary officers after reportedly entering a restricted area to film an Iranian naval vessel docked at Kochi port in the southern state of Kerala, according to several media reports.
Authorities said the journalists had previously been denied permission to film the vessel, the IRIS Lavan, which had taken refuge in India as tensions escalated in the region following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Reports indicated that the U.S. had also targeted another Iranian naval ship, the IRIS Dena, in a submarine attack that resulted in the vessel’s sinking.
After their detention, the three individuals were handed over to the Kerala Harbour Police, who launched an investigation under India’s Official Secrets Act, a colonial-era law that criminalizes the collection or dissemination of information deemed harmful to national security or foreign relations. The journalists are also being investigated under provisions of the Indian Penal Code related to alleged criminal trespass.
Police have accused the reporters of photographing and recording the Iranian vessel and attempting to distribute the footage in a manner that could threaten national security, according to news reports. If convicted under the Official Secrets Act, Shankar and Mani could face up to three years in prison, a fine, or both.
The journalists have filed bail petitions, which are currently under review by the Judicial First-Class Magistrate-I Court in Kochi.
Free Press Alliance strongly condemns the use of the Official Secrets Act against journalists carrying out their professional duties. Laws originally designed to prosecute espionage must not be weaponized to intimidate members of the press or restrict legitimate reporting. Authorities must ensure that journalists can gather information and report on matters of public interest without fear of detention, criminal charges, or retaliation.