Guwahati: Popular folk singer Neha Singh Rathore on Saturday (on October 17, 2026) rejected an apology issued by ABP Network over a false report linking her to an alleged sex racket, announcing that she would pursue legal action against the network.
The controversy erupted on Saturday after ABP Network’s digital platform broadcast a report with the Hindi headline, Neha Singh Rathore wale hostel mein sex racket, police ne maara chhaapa (Sex racket in Neha Singh Rathore’s hostel, police conduct raid).
The report allegedly used footage of a police raid alongside Rathore’s photographs and name, linking her to an alleged prostitution racket.
Rathore reacts to report, confronts editor
Rathore reacted publicly to the report immediately, questioning why the network had associated her identity with the alleged racket.
In a post on X, she criticised the channel and tagged the National Commission for Women (NCW), questioning whether the commission would intervene over the alleged attempt to damage her reputation.
She also confronted the network’s editorial leadership over the report, demanding to know the basis for the allegations and the name of the hostel in question.
Rathore denied having any connection with the alleged activity and objected to the portrayal of her as a ‘call girl or prostitute’.
The controversy intensified on social media, with criticism directed at the network over the report’s accuracy and the verification of the material used in the broadcast.
ABP Network apologises
Following the backlash, ABP Network issued a public apology on Saturday, acknowledging that its digital platform had broadcast a report about Rathore that was factually incorrect.
In its statement, the network said: “A news report concerning folk singer Neha Singh Rathore was broadcast on ABP Network’s digital platform and was found to be factually incorrect. We regret this erroneous broadcast and apologise for it.”
The network’s statement acknowledged the factual error and expressed regret over the broadcast.
Rathore rejects apology, threatens legal action
Rathore rejected the apology, arguing that a simple expression of regret could not undo the damage caused to her reputation.
Reacting to the network’s statement, she questioned how a channel could broadcast such a report and then expect the matter to end with an apology.
“Court mein mulaqat hogi. Mujhe nyay chahiye, maafi nahi,” she said, meaning, “See you in court. I want justice, not an apology.”
She indicated that she intended to pursue legal action against the network over the report.
Rathore has frequently used folk music to raise questions about political and social issues. She alleged that the report was an attempt to undermine her reputation because of her critical commentary.