A freelance journalist in New Delhi has been arrested by Uttar Pradesh police who said in their FIR that the 26-year-old had written 'objectionable comments' about chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Twitter.

The FIR against Prashant Kanojia was filed in Hazratganj police station, Lucknow, on June 7 under IPC Section 500 (punishment for defamation) and Section 66 of the Informatiion Technology Act, 2008.

Kanojia had commented on a Hindi video in which a woman was seen speaking to journalists about her affection for the Uttar Pradesh chief minister and requesting a meeting with him. She claimed she had video chats with Adityanath.

The video, which had 'UP News' as its logo, is on Kanojia's Twitter page since June 6. His accompanying comment in the video is: 'Ishq chupta nahi chupaane se yogi ji (you cannot hide your love, Yogiji).'

The FIR accuses Kanojia of posting 'aapattijanak tippani (objectionable comments) on Twitter' to defame the chief minister.

Kanojia's wife Jagisha Arora said her husband was picked up near their Delhi home around 12.30-1pm. 'He had gone for some grocery shopping but came back with two men. He changed his clothes and went with the two saying they were from UP police,' Arora said.

She said the two policemen were not in uniform.

Arora said a copy of the FIR had reached her.

Kanojia had worked with the online news website The Wire for two years before leaving it two months ago.

He had also worked with The Indian Express.