Kashmiri Pandit activist held in Haryana after complaint over threat posters
Kashmiri Pandit activist held in Haryana after complaint over threat posters
Srinagar, Oct 26: A Kashmiri Pandit activist has been arrested by the Baramulla Police in Jammu and Kashmir in a cyberterrorism case over allegations that he circulated threat-related posters on social media platform X.
Rakesh Handoo, around 60, was arrested on October 17 from Sector 88 in Faridabad, Haryana, following a complaint by a member of the Kashmiri Pandit community, according to sources.
A copy of the written grounds of arrest accessed by News18 shows that Handoo was arrested after FIR No. 151/2026 was registered against him. He has been booked under Sections 66F and 84C of the Information Technology Act.
Section 66F deals with cyberterrorism, while Section 84C relates to attempted offences under the Information Technology Act. An offence under Section 66F is generally treated as non-bailable.
What Does Police Case Against Handoo Say?
According to the grounds of arrest served on Handoo’s wife on October 17, police alleged that a publicly accessible X account repeatedly circulated “threat related electronic material” purportedly originating from groups identified in the document as “Soldier of Resistance” and the “United Liberation Council”.
The document further alleges that the electronic material was deliberately altered and circulated.
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The FIR was registered on September 21, following which Handoo was asked to appear before the police on September 26.
Sources said police made repeated attempts to get Handoo to join the investigation after the FIR was registered. He allegedly failed to appear, following which a police team arrested him in Haryana on October 17.
The police have said they have substantial evidence against the accused and that the investigation is currently underway.
Kashmiri Pandit Leaders Seek Review Of Charges
The arrest has drawn criticism from some members of the Kashmiri Pandit community.
Kashmiri Pandit activist and Lok Janshakti Party national spokesperson Sanjay Saraf has appealed to Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat to review the charges against Handoo.
Speaking to News18 over the phone from Baramulla, Saraf said Handoo had played a significant role during the violence and unrest in Kashmir in the 1990s.
“He is a hard-core activist. Government should investigate and not book him directly under charges which are non-bailable. He is a senior citizen and I don’t disagree with the investigation process but charges slapped on him are too harsh,” Saraf said after meeting Handoo in Baramulla.
According to social media posts by members of the Kashmiri Pandit community, Handoo had also assisted security forces during the situation in Kashmir in the 1990s.
Handoo had unsuccessfully contested the 2008 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election from the Hazratbal constituency.
Handoo To Appear Before NIA Court For Bail
Handoo is expected to appear before the NIA court in Sopore on Tuesday, where he is likely to seek bail.
The case remains under investigation, with police maintaining that they have evidence supporting the allegations against him. Handoo’s arrest and the invocation of the cyberterrorism provision have meanwhile triggered calls from members of his community for a review of the charges.