Srinagar, Nov 21: Sopore Police have arrested two journalists for spreading false murder allegations in a hit-and-run case that claimed the life of a local doctor in Ashpeer.
In a statement to ANH, a police spokesman said that on November 20, Sopore Police received credible information regarding media persons Mueeb-ul-Haq from Sopore and Suhail Khan from Delina Baramulla allegedly spreading false information. The duo misrepresented a hit-and-run incident as a murder case through social media posts, causing widespread misinformation in the Sopore area.
He said the false reports had the potential to disrupt public order, hurt sentiments, and undermine the credibility of the investigative authorities.
IGP Kashmir Zone Reviews Crime, Security Situation in Bandipora
In response, an FIR (No. 238/2024) was registered at Sopore Police Station under relevant legal provisions, and the accused journalists were subsequently arrested, he said.
The spokesman said that the case pertains to a hit-and-run incident involving Dr. Azhar Janwari, who was injured on November 5 and later succumbed to his injuries on November 18 at SKIMS. The accused driver, identified as Nadeem Badam of Sopore, was traced by the police and confessed to the crime.
Sopore Police have reiterated their appeal to the public and media to verify information before dissemination to prevent harm to public peace and the integrity of investigations, the spokesman added.
