I Have Earned the FIR: Journo Booked for Report on Aadhaar Breach

The journalist said she hopes the government will look into breaches in Aadhaar security and take firm action.

The Supreme Court ruled on Monday that Aadhaar could not be made mandatory for availing government welfare schemes. 

(Photo: iStock)

Rachna Khaira, the reporter of "The Tribune" newspaper who has been named in an FIR by the Delhi Police in connection with a newspaper report on the breach of details of over one billion Aadhaar cards, on Sunday, 7 January, said she was happy about the development as she had "earned" it.

“I think I have earned this FIR. I am happy that at least the UIDAI has taken some action on my report and I really hope that along with the FIR, the government of India will see what all breaches were there and take appropriate action,” she told a television news channel.

Asked whether she stood by her report, Khaira said, “Yes, of course. I stand by every word in it.”

On being asked whether the FIR was a case of shooting the messenger, Khaira said, “I have not received the copy of the FIR. For me, it is difficult to comment on the issue right now, because if it is filed by the UIDAI officials, my comment may be different. So, right now, I would like to refrain from commenting on the issue.”

When it was pointed out that the FIR was filed on the basis of a complaint from a deputy director of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), she said, "These are media reports. I have to see the FIR because I have been told that there are some reports that the FIR was not filed by the UIDAI. So, I do not think that this is the right time to comment on the issue."

On whether she had received any organisational support, Khaira said, "I am very happy that not only the Chandigarh media, the Delhi media and even the international media have assured me of support. I am also happy that the report has been applauded by the big names in the media. 'The Tribune' is providing all the legal assistance to me." Asked if she was mulling requesting the Centre to withdraw the FIR, she said, "I am sure the government of India is taking note of the latest developments in the case. I am hopeful that we will hear something very soon."

In the wake of the UIDAI filing a case over a report in The Tribune on the breach of details of more than one billion Aadhaar cards, the newspaper today said authorities have "misconceived" an honest journalistic enterprise.

The Tribune's Editor-in-Chief Harish Khare in a statement also said that the newspaper's stories are in the best traditions of responsible journalism.

"We regret very much that the authorities have misconceived an honest journalistic enterprise and have proceeded to institute criminal proceedings against the whistleblower," he said.