Srinagar 25 February:The Commissioner Secretary, General Administrative Department (GAD), Civil Secretariat, Srinagar/Jammu, has received an application for sanction to prosecute an Islamic preacher under Section 217 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) for allegedly insulting religious beliefs and traditions.
Fayaz Ahmad Lone, a resident of Shar Shali, Pampore, filed a request against Umar Farooq Ganie alias Gazi Sir, alleging offences under Sections 196 and 299 of the BNSS, as well as related laws of the Information Technology Act of 2000.
According to the application, a copy of which is available at 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,” according to the complainer.
The complainant claims that these utterances have the potential to disrupt religious peace and public order.According to the application, the accused committed premeditated and malicious conduct with the intent of offending religious emotions, which is a serious offence.
Lone is also in the midst of sending a representation to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) to commence additional legal action, including the development of a dossier to invoke the Public Safety Act (PSA) against the accused.
Furthermore, civil proceedings are being contemplated to obtain an injunction prohibiting the accused from posting inflammatory content on social media networks.
The application includes documentary and electronic evidence supporting the claims and requests that the authorities provide criminal sanction.
The matter is now being reviewed by the appropriate authorities in order to make a decision on legal procedures. (KB)
