Shabir Ali
In a bizarre case of mistaken identity, a court in Sopore has summoned the editors of Kashmir Bulletin, a Srinagar-based news page, in a defamation lawsuit—despite the allegedly defamatory content being posted by an entirely different platform with a similar name.
The case, filed by Zahid Gani Mirchal, an activist from Rafiabad-Zaingier, highlights the chaos of digital defamation cases and the increasing scrutiny faced by independent news outlets in Kashmir.
Mirchal’s complaint, filed in the court of Sub Judge, Sopore, of which a copy is available with The Kashmiriyat, alleges that a video showing a physical confrontation involving him was uploaded online with the intent to damage his reputation. He claims that the incident had already been settled amicably, yet the footage was deliberately circulated on social media, particularly on Facebook and Instagram, to defame him and obstruct his political ambitions.
The ninety-second video allegedly showed Mirchal being assaulted by a woman, with the claim that the accused had scammed several people. “In March, he had taken all the money from us. He told my brother to deposit the amount and kept seeking documents one after another. But in reality, he scammed us. He has taken rupees 1,20,000 from us,” the woman in the video is heard saying.
In his petition, Mirchal has sought a “permanent and mandatory injunction” directing the removal of the video and restraining further interference in his personal and political life. He is also demanding compensation for “reputational damage, mental distress, and financial losses” caused by the viral circulation of the clip.
However, the court’s summons to Kashmir Bulletin has sparked controversy, as a different page (Kashmir Bulliten Live (Muzlum Ki Awaz)) had uploaded the video in question. The Srinagar-based Kashmir Bulletin maintains that it had no involvement in posting the video but was still drawn into the legal battle.
Speaking to The Kashmiriyat, Burhan said the executive editor of Kashmir bullet said that March 13, 2025, he received the summon from Sopore Court on his whatsapp number. “The summons was served to him via WhatsApp by the plaintiff’s advocate, Nasir Bin Malik took me by shock. I had no clue about the video, then I was shown the videos. I tried to inform the lawyer that the page (Kashmir Bulliten Live (Muzlum Ki Awaz)) did not belong to me. I had told them that we do not run the page, but to no avail,” said Burhan.
When I clarified that I had no connection with the page that uploaded the video, the lawyer told me that the person filing the case had asked him to send a summon to me,” Burhan added. “On Wednesday, we went to the court in Sopore, and the next hearing is scheduled for May 14. The court has not heard anything from our side yet,” said Burhan, the executive editor of Kashmir Bulletin.
“The case raises concerns about due diligence in legal proceedings related to digital defamation. Recent trends across India highlight how defamation laws are being used—intentionally or otherwise—to target journalists and media outlets over their reportage. Hospital authorities and government officials have increasingly threatened journalists with police and legal action, alleging that their reporting is “defamatory,” a senior journalist from Srinagar told The Kashmiriyat.
Instead of ensuring accountability, a growing culture of targeting and intimidating journalists and media outlets has taken root, he added.
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