While Noida Police transferred the Zero FIR to Delhi Police, no fresh case has been registered in Delhi so far. The case has sparked debate over the treatment of juveniles, online vigilantism and the consequences of doxxing and hate campaigns.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, August 4: A 15-year-old girl from Noida, who publicly apologised after allegedly using abusive language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a protest over paper leaks and education reforms, has been forced to change homes three times along with her single mother amid continuing threats, harassment and intense online hate.
The teenager, who was named in a First Information Report (FIR) registered by Noida Police on July 29, says the apology has done little to end the ordeal. Instead, the family alleges that their address was leaked, exposing them to relentless intimidation from strangers, political supporters and online trolls.
The FIR was lodged on the complaint of a lawyer after a video surfaced from the Jantar Mantar protest in which the girl was allegedly heard making derogatory remarks about the Prime Minister. The case invokes provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to defamation, intentional insult and statements conducive to public mischief.
TO THE STREETS…..FOR A 15 y/o………..@NSUI extends its support to 15 y/o Ruchika Singh who was coerced to apologise and continues getting R@PE & DEATHS threats. pic.twitter.com/KiJSIT12Yc
— KALLURI (@I_KALLURI) August 3, 2026
Her lawyer, Anil Kumar, has questioned the legality of the FIR, arguing that the girl was only 14 years old when it was registered and attained the age of 15 on August 1. He also dismissed widespread social media claims identifying her as “Ruchika,” saying the name being circulated online is false.
“She is a 15-year-old Class 10 student enrolled in the open schooling system through a Delhi-based institution. She is not a 25-year-old salon worker, as several social media posts have falsely claimed,” Kumar said. He added that the girl’s mother, a single parent, supports the family by conducting private tuition classes.
According to the lawyer, the family’s troubles escalated after details of the FIR, including their residential address, began circulating publicly.
“People with political affiliations, along with unruly elements, started arriving at their home. They received repeated threats, including rape threats directed at the minor. Fearing for their safety, they had no option but to leave their residence,” Kumar said.
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The family initially took shelter with relatives in Faridabad. However, the threats allegedly continued through social media, where the teenager was subjected to rape threats, death threats and abusive messages. Since then, the mother and daughter have shifted twice more and are now living at an undisclosed location for security reasons.
The constant fear and repeated displacement have taken a severe emotional toll on both of them, the lawyer said.
In an earlier video statement released after the controversy erupted, the teenager explained the circumstances that led to the remarks.
She said she had gone to Connaught Place with friends when markets were shut because of the ongoing protest. Curious, they walked towards the demonstration at Jantar Mantar, where some people filming videos encouraged her to speak.
“They told me something wrong was happening and that I had the freedom to express myself. I then said those things. What I said was wrong. I have apologised, and I will continue apologising until my apology is accepted,” she said in the video.
Her mother also issued a public apology following the incident.
Noida Police initially registered a Zero FIR before transferring the matter to Delhi Police, as the alleged incident took place in the national capital. Delhi Police has not registered a fresh case so far.
A senior Noida Police officer said that a Zero FIR can be lodged irrespective of jurisdiction and that complaints involving juveniles are legally permissible. The officer added that it is the responsibility of the investigating agency to verify the facts, determine the age of the accused and proceed in accordance with the provisions of the juvenile justice framework.
Even after repeatedly expressing remorse, the teenager remains caught in an unrelenting cycle of legal uncertainty, online abuse and physical intimidation, with the family continuing to live away from home for fear of reprisals.
