Srinagar, Mar 14, KDC: The Jammu and Police has slapped Public safety Act (PSA) on Kashmiri Journalist Fahad Shah who was previously booked under three cases from last two months and ordered his lodgement at Kupwara central jail, sources said on Monday.
Sources confirmed to Srinagar based news agency Kashmir Dot Com (KDC) that Journalist Fahad Shah, a resident of Soura Srinagar was booked under Public Safety Act (PSA) after he got bail in two cases registered by the Jammu and Kashmir Police and is presently under police custody in third case registered against him in Srinagar.
Shah was first arrested on February 4 with police claiming that he allegedly glorified militancy, spread fake news and incited the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The police have claimed that three separate first information reports (FIRs) were registered against Fahad Shah.
“Fahad Shah is wanted in three cases for glorifying terrorism, spreading fake news and inciting general public for creating law and order situations: FIR No. 70/2020 of PS Safakadal Srinagar, FIR No. 06/2021 of PS Imamsahib, Shopian & FIR No. 19/2022 of PS Pulwama.”
Fahad, who is editor of a local news magazine and portal, “The Kashmir Walla”, was first arrested in FIR No. 19/2022 registered by Pulwama police under 13 Unlawful activities of which interim bail was granted by the special court in Srinagar. He was then arrested by the Shopian Police in FIR No 06/2021 of which the Munsif court also granted him interim bail.
Shah is presently under police custody in a third case registered at Police Station Safakadal in Srinagar under FIR no 70/2020.
Advocate Umair Ronga the counsel of Fahad tweeted “Fahad Shah’s case update: @pzfahad Sensing that the Hon’ble Special Court may grant the bail as the allegations levelled against the accused does not prima facie connect him with the commission on any offence the authorities have taken recourse to J&K Public Safety Act. @tkwmag”.
It is to mention here that in February, 57 publications, press freedom groups including Committee to Protect Journalist, and human rights organisations wrote a letter to Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor of the Jammu and Kashmir demanding release of Fahad Shah and other Kashmiri journalists, Sajad Gul, Aasif Sultan and Manan Gulzar Dar. (KDC)