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Srinagar: Executive Magistrate first class Shopian on Thursday issued arrest warrant against Gowhar Geelani, a journalist, for his non appearance in a case related to act in a manner prejudicial to the public interest that has the tendency to disturb public peace, tranquillity and security.
An order issued by the court of executive magistrate first class Shopian has directed Station House Officer (SHO) Heerpora to arrest Gowhar Geelani. “In view of non-appearance of Gowhar Nazir Geelani after serving notice at him under section 107/151 crpc vice number TS/ESTT/21-22/145, dated 03/02/2022, you are directed to arrest and produce the above person before this court on Feb 19, 2022, in order to maintain peace and public tranquillity in the jurisdiction of this court.”
The court issued an arrest warrant against Gowhar Geelani 10 days after he was summoned by the court.
Earlier on February 6, the court had summoned Gowhar Geelani to ensure personal appearance before it on February 7 for acting in a manner “prejudicial” to the public interest that tends to “disturb” public peace.
In a notice, the Executive Magistrate of Shopian had stated that the court received a report regarding the incident dated 01-02-2022 from concerned police authorities, wherein a police person Shabir Ahmad Wagay, son of Ghulam Hassan Wagay resident of Amshipora, Shopian was fired upon by militants at his native village Amshipora and was shifted to District Hospital Shopian in a critical condition.
“Immediately after the incident you have disseminated information on social media that would have endangered the life of the injured individual and other persons besides circulation of your information have raised serious security and breach of peace concerns,” the notice reads.
As per the notice by the court, after the incident, “you have acted in a manner prejudicial to the public interest that have tendency to disturb public peace, tranquillity and security and I have strong apprehensions you will continue with such activities that will have an impact upon maintainable of peace and public tranquillity in my jurisdiction.”
The court has made a mention that previously Gowhar Nazir Geelani indulged in such activities, regarding which a criminal case under FIR NO. 57/2021 U/S 13, UAPA, 505 IPC stands registered in Police Station Sadder, Srinagar.
“Moreover, it has been brought into the knowledge of the undersigned that you are continuously in clandestine manner propagating such information and activities that has an adverse impact upon breach of peace, tranquillity and security,” the Magistrate stated.
The court has said that given the above averments, “why action under section 107 Cr. P.C should not be initiated against you and bound down you under section 107Cr.P.C for maintaining Public order and peace/tranquillity. You are hereby directed to attend this court in person on 07/09/2022 positively,” the court stated.
Meanwhile, as per the Criminal Involvement Report of Gowhar Nazir Geelani, he is said to be active on social media and uses social media as a platform for “uploading anti-national posts and videos.”
As per the report, his activities are against the ethos of “rule of law” and aimed to create “threat” to peace and tranquillity in the region”.
He is also termed to be allegedly involved in “glorifying terrorism”, “spreading fake news” and “inciting general public” for “creating law and order problems.”
