Lawfare, Summons/Notices – Journalists

Jammu and Kashmir Police have booked yet another journalist on charges of “unlawful activities” through social media posts. Gowhar Geelani, a journalist and an author, has been charged under stringent anti-terror law UAPA (Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act).

The FIR (first information report) against Mr Geelani, the third against Kashmir-based journalists in the last 48 hours, was filed hours after the Editors Guild of India expressed shock and concern over FIRs against two journalists in Srinagar.  In its statement the organisation called it a “gross misuse of power” and that the “only purpose can be strike terror into journalists”.

In a statement issued by J&K Police’s Cyber Cell, Mr Geelani has been accused of “indulging in unlawful activities through his posts and writings on social media platforms, which are prejudicial to the national integrity, sovereignty and security of India”.