FIR against Shehla Rashid for allegedly spreading misinformation on condition of Kashmiri students

A case under sections 505, 153 and 504 of the IPC was registered against former JNUSU leader Shehla Rashid in Uttarakhand's Prem Nagar police station for allegedly spreading misinformation in a tweet about the condition of Kashmiri students in the state after the Pulwama terror attack. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nivedita Kukreti told news agency ANI: “An FIR under Sections 505 (to incite any class or community to commit any offence against any other class or community), 153 (indulge in wanton vilification or attacks), and 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been registered against Shehla Rashid at Prem Nagar police station.”

“She had tweeted about Kashmiri students in the city,” added Kukreti.

Rashid is accused of circulating a message on social media On February 16, stating that about 15-20 Kashmiri girls were “trapped” in a hostel at Dolphin College in Dehradun with a mob demanding their expulsion from the institute. Police were quick to intervene and salvage the situation.

Taking to Twitter, Rashid on Monday said: "So, @uttarakhandcops have filed an FIR against me, but they have yet to take any action against Vikas Verma Bajrang Dal convenor who is speaking to national newspapers, owning up to the mob attacks, ordering Kashmiris to leave Dehradun. Can't say who rules Uttarakhand anymore."

So, @uttarakhandcops have filed an FIR against me, but they have yet to take any action against Vikas Verma Bajrang Dal convenor who is speaking to national newspapers, owning up to the mob attacks, ordering Kashmiris to leave Dehradun. Can't say who rules Uttarakhand anymore!

— Shehla Rashid شہلا رشید (@Shehla_Rashid) February 18, 2019

On Satturday, Rashid had tweeted saying: “15-20 Kashmiri girls trapped in a hostel in Dehradun for hours now, as an angry mob outside demands that they be expelled from the hostels. This is in Dolphin institute. Police is present but unable to disperse the mob (sic).”

#SOSKashmir 15-20 Kashmiri girls trapped in a hostel in Dehradun for hours now, as an angry mob outside demands that they be expelled from the hostels. This is in Dolphin institute. Police is present but unable to disperse the mob.@INCUttarakhand @uttarakhandcops @ukcopsonline

— Shehla Rashid شہلا رشید (@Shehla_Rashid) February 16, 2019

The Jaish-e-Mohammed has claimed responsibility for the February 14 terror attack, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed, that targeted a convoy of 78 vehicles on its way from Jammu to Srinagar. About 2,500 CRPF personnel were on their way to the valley, many returning to work after leave.