The political atmosphere in Jammu and Kashmir has grown increasingly tense following the registration of FIRs against National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi and former Srinagar Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu. On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, the Srinagar Police confirmed that both leaders are under investigation for allegedly sharing “fabricated and misleading” content across digital platforms.
According to a police statement, the action was prompted by “credible inputs” suggesting the circulation of distorted narratives designed to incite fear and disrupt public order. Officials have filed FIR No. 02/2026 and FIR No. 03/2026 at the Srinagar Cyber Police Station under Sections 197(1)(d) and 353(1)(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The police cautioned that such content poses a risk to social harmony and urged the public to rely only on verified information.
Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, the Lok Sabha representative for Srinagar, responded to the move with defiance. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Mehdi claimed that his security detail had been downgraded and his Facebook account suspended. He dismissed these measures as attempts to silence his voice, asserting that his constitutional right to speak out against perceived injustices remains intact. He stated that those who believe withdrawing security or suspending accounts will stop him are mistaken, as he intends to continue standing up for democracy.
In a similar vein, Junaid Azim Mattu reported that his security cover was effectively withdrawn. Mattu linked the administrative action to his recent vocal criticism regarding international developments—specifically the reported killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a US-Israel strike. He alleged that the authorities are using legal pressure to suppress dissent against the government’s foreign policy stances.
The police action has drawn sharp criticism from other political figures in the region. Mehbooba Mufti, President of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), characterized the FIRs as “unjust and unwarranted.” She argued that holding a differing political opinion on global events should not be treated as a criminal offense. Mufti has called for the immediate withdrawal of the cases, warning that such actions stifle legitimate expression in the region. As the Cyber Police continue their investigation, the incident has reignited a broader debate over the boundaries of free speech and the role of law enforcement in monitoring social media narratives in sensitive zones.
