Setback for Shehla Rashid; anticipatory bail for allegedly defaming Army denied

In a setback for former Kashmiri politician Shehla Rashid, Delhi's Patiala House Court on Friday has dismissed her anticipatory bail application in the case of allegedly defaming the Indian army on social media. The court has allowed the Delhi Police to arrest the former JNU student leader but has stated that 10 days notice to be given Shehla Rashid preceding arrest. The court has observed that the investigation in the case was in the preliminary stage.

READ | FIR lodged against Shehla Rashid for unverified post on Army in J&K

FIR against Shehla Rashid

Earlier in September, an FIR had been lodged by the Special Cell of Delhi Police against Rashid over the alleged false information she had posted on Twitter against the Indian Army in Kashmir. Rashid had approached the court seeking anticipatory bail. In October, Rashid had quit Kashmir People's Movement ahead of the Block Development Council elections in Kashmir saying she can't be a party to the exercise of legitimising the "suppression" of people.

READ | Shehla Rashid quits electoral politics, opposes BDC polls in Kashmir

Shehla Rashid spreads 'fake news' defaming Indian Army

In August after the revocation of Article 370, while Kashmir was under complete lockdown, Rashid had alleged that Indian Army was harassing people of Kashmir, based on hearsay. Yet she also dared the Indian Army to conduct an inquiry on what she had claimed in her tweets. She had alleged that there were gross human rights violation happening, there are medical emergencies, people don't have ambulances in Kashmir.

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Army sets record straight

On August 19, soon after Rashid made her claims about Kashmir, the Indian Army in a statement tore apart her claims."Allegations levelled by Shehla Rashid are baseless and rejected. Such unverified and fake news is spread by inimical elements and organisations to incite unsuspecting population," the Army stated. Rashid had alleged that the Army had tortured Kashmiris and even harassed them by destroying their food supply.

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Current situation of Kashmir

Meanwhile, the Centre has stated that the situation in Kashmir is slowly being restored back to normalcy. While traffic has been seen increasing in the Valley, public transport is still not functional, as informed by authorities. While landline connections have been restored completely, internet and cell connections too have been restored to most parts of the Valley, according to Kashmir administration. Postpaid connections too have been restored in the Valley. Schools have also opened in the Valley and attendance has been gradually rising. The state administration has been giving regular reports about medical facilities functional in the Valley. The state was bifurcate into two Union territories - Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh on October 30.