Pune: A 19-year-old engineering student from Pune has been arrested for pro-Pakistani posts on Instagram. She has also been rusticated from college.
Khatija Shaikh, a second year Information Technology (IT) student at the Sinhagad Engineering College, posted the slogan ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ and other material in her Instagram account. The matter was brought to the notice of the police by members of a right-wing group.
Following a complaint, a case was registered against her at Kondhwa Police Station under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Sections 152 (acts endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of India), 196 (promoting enmity between different groups), 197 (imputations and assertions that are prejudicial to national integration) 299 (outraging religious feelings) and 352 (intentional insult intended to provoke a breach of peace) and 353 (making, publishing, or circulating false statements, reports, or rumours that cause public mischief or incite hatred).
The FIR states that the original message was uploaded by someone with the handle Dr MAARIB@reformistan. Khatija apparently shared it as her Instagram status message and added some comments of her own.
Rajkumar Shinde, deputy commissioner of police (Zone 5) confirmed the arrest and said that further investigation is underway. It has also been alleged that Khatija visited Kashmir a week ago.
Manoj Patil, additional commissioner of police (eastern region), said: “The student shared pro-Pakistan screenshots on her online account which could have disrupted the public order.”
The Sinhagad Engineering College, meanwhile, ordered her rustication with immediate effect. The principal said that while the institution recognises the right to free expression it also expects the students to exercise such rights responsibly.
