A court in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, has ordered a case to be registered against Smita Prakash, the editor of news agency ANI, on charges of reporting false news in the name of the Election Commission of India (ECI).

The court took action based on a complaint filed by former IPS officer Amit Thakur. The court found the complaint to be valid for registering a case under Section 210 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS).

In his detailed complaint under BNSS Section 210, Thakur alleged that ANI published information "in an attempt to make it appear as if the Election Commission had said something which it had not previously published on any of its websites or official social media handles."

The complaint claims that the content reported under Smita Prakash's leadership was published prematurely as false news. The act is considered illegal under BNSS Section 318(2). TheGiftKart Tough Armor Bumper Back Case Cover for OnePlus Nord 5 5G | Ring Holder & Kickstand in-Built | 360 Degree Protection Back Case Cover for OnePlus Nord 5 5G (PC & TPU, Black)

As evidence, Thakur's complaint cites an ANI post on X (formerly Twitter) from August 1, 2025, at 3:08 PM, stating that the ECI had issued a statement refuting Rahul Gandhi's allegations of 'vote theft.' However, evidence shows that the ECI’s official statement was published later that day, in Hindi at 5:59 PM and in English at 9:55 PM.

The official statement from the ECI described Rahul Gandhi's remarks as "misleading, baseless and intimidating." Thakur stated that ANI's post was made in the ECI’s name before the commission had even released its official statement. Based on this evidence, the court has reportedly ordered a direct FIR to be filed against Prakash. Also Read: Allegation of Violating Personal Dignity... Manchu Lakshmi Files Complaint with Film Chamber Against Journalist's Inappropriate Questions!