Man arrested for ‘anti-India’ social media post in Himachal

A man was arrested on Sunday for posting an objectionable anti-India post on his Facebook account following the Pahalgam terror attack while eulogising Pakistan, Himachal Pradesh Police said on Monday.

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Locals in Paonta Sahib who lodged a complaint against Suleman alleged that he posted anti- India content and criticised the prime minister besides hurting the religious sentiments of the majority community.

The accused, a fruits and vegetable seller, lives in a rented accommodation at ward number one in Badripur tehsil in Paonta Sahib. He is originally from Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh.

Police arrested him on Sunday after a tip-off from locals that he was back in Paonta Sahib town. He disappeared for a few days after a case was registered against him, they said.

His posts hurt religious feelings and used anti-national language tantamount to serious acts of sedition, the complaint added.

A case was registered under Section 152 (acts endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of India) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) on May 27.

After police registered the case, he disappeared and came back to Paonta on Sunday and he was then arrested following a tip-off from the locals.

Confirming Suleman’s arrest, Sirmaur SP Nischit Singh Negi said that it was the first case of its type in the district as the FIR was registered under Section 152 of BNS.

Paonta police station in-charge Devi Singh said Suleman would be produced in court on Monday.