On 11-09-2025, the Court of Judicial Magistrate – III, Lucknow, heard a complaint filed by a Former IPS Officer, Amitabh Thakur, under Section 210 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), alleging commission of offences by journalist Smita Prakash.
The complaint by Smita Prakash alleged that the news agency ANI had been circulating false news regarding the Election Commission of India.
Without entering the merits of territorial jurisdiction or sufficiency of grounds, the Court found the complaint to be procedurally sound and registered the complaint by Amitabh Thakur, in view of the provisions of Chapter XV BNSS.