Srinagar: Commissioner Secretary, General Administrative Department (GAD), Civil Secretariat, Srinagar/Jammu, has received an application seeking sanction for prosecution under Section 217 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) against an Islamic preacher, for allegedly insulting religious beliefs and traditions.
The request filed by one Fayaz Ahmad Lone, a resident of Shar Shali, Pampore, against Umar Farooq Ganie alias Gazi Sir, has alleged offenses under Sections 196 and 299 of BNSS and relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
According to the application, a copy of which lies with news agency Kashmir Bulletin, the complainant, an advocate by profession, has accused Umar Farooq Ganie of making statements on social media that allegedly insult religious beliefs and traditions associated with Sufis, Syed Sadats, and other historical Islamic figures.
“Ganie’s remarks question the authenticity of the Holy Relic at Hazratbal and challenge the historical significance of Imam Hussain’s (RA) martyrdom,” the complainant maintains.
The complainant argues that such statements have the potential to disturb religious harmony and public order.
The application further states that the accused has engaged in deliberate and malicious acts aimed at outraging religious sentiments, an offense punishable under law.
Lone is also in the process of submitting a representation to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) to initiate further legal action, including the preparation of a dossier for invoking the Public Safety Act (PSA) against the accused. Additionally, civil proceedings are being considered to seek an injunction against the accused from posting content deemed inflammatory on social media platforms.
The application includes documentary and electronic evidence supporting the allegations and urges the authorities to grant prosecution sanction.
The matter now awaits further review by the concerned authorities for a decision on legal proceedings. (KB)
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