Srinagar: Police have registered FIRs against ruling National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi and former Srinagar Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu for allegedly circulating false and misleading content online, even as PDP president Mehbooba Mufti termed the action “egregiously unwarranted” and demanded immediate withdrawal of the cases.
A police spokesperson said Srinagar Police acted on credible inputs regarding the circulation of fabricated and distorted narratives across digital and social media platforms aimed at creating fear, disturbing public order and inciting unlawful activities. “The content in question, prima facie, reflects dissemination of unverified information capable of causing public unrest and societal disharmony. Such deliberate attempts pose a serious threat to peace, security and overall stability,” the spokesperson said.
FIR No. 02/2026 and FIR No. 03/2026 have been registered under Sections 197(1)(d) and 353(1)(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Cyber Police Station, Srinagar. Investigations are under way. Police have also downgraded the security of Ruhullah and blocked his Facebook page. Authorities have advised citizens to verify information through official sources before sharing content online and warned that further legal action would follow as warranted.
The former Mayor claimed his security was withdrawn following his public remarks on the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and for speaking against the BJP-led dispensation. Reacting to the FIR, Ruhullah’s office said on X that the people of Srinagar elected their MP to “speak the truth” and that the mandate does not expire with an FIR.
Meanwhile, authorities have imposed restrictions across the Valley and ordered closure of all educational institutions till March 7 following protests over Khamenei’s killing in a joint US–Israeli strike.
Expressing support for the two leaders, Mehbooba Mufti said the FIRs were unjustified. “Just because the Government of India and the NC government in Jammu & Kashmir have chosen to remain silent on the blatant aggression by US and Israel against Iran and the martyrdom of its Supreme Leader doesn’t mean that those who speak out are offenders to be booked under the law,” she said in a post on X. (Agencies)
