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