Lawfare, Summons/Notices – Journalists

The charges against Masarat Zahra, a woman photojournalist from Kashmir, under the Unlawful (Activites) Prevention, Act have attracted strong criticism from journalists and activists, who have alleged that registering the case amounts to intimidation and silencing of the press.

Kashmiri photojournalist Masrat Zahra was booked under the UAPA for “uploading anti-national posts with criminal intention to induce the youth and promote offence against public tranquillity”, reported The Indian Express. According to the report, a statement issued by the Jammu and Kashmir Police on Monday said that a case  has been registered against Masrat Zahra under section of 13 UA(P) Act and 505-IPC in Cyber Police Station, Kashmir Zone.

“Cyber Police Station received information through reliable sources that one Facebook user namely “Masrat Zahra” is uploading anti-national posts with criminal intention to induce the youth and to promote offences against public tranquillity,” said the statement “The Facebook user is also believed to be uploading photographs which can provoke the public to disturb law and order. The user is also uploading posts that tantamount to glorify the anti-national activities and dent the image of law enforcing agencies besides causing disaffection against the country,” it added.