Kashmir MP booked for sharing ‘misleading’ content on Khamenei killing protests

National Conference leader and MP Aga Syed Ruhullah

• FIRs filed against NC MP Ruhullah and ex-mayor Mattu in Srinagar
• Accused of inciting unrest after posts on Iran leader's killing
• Police also acted against media outlets for misleading content

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The J&K police filed First Information Reports (FIRs) against National Conference leader and MP Aga Syed Ruhullah and former Srinagar mayor Junaid Azim Mattu for allegedly “creating fear, disturbing public order, and inciting unlawful activities”.

According to reports, NC MP criticised the Centre’s response to the US–Israel strikes on Iran and the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying the government’s silence raises serious questions about India’s foreign policy.

In response, Ruhullah's office said in a post on X, "The same administration that couldn't find the courage to condemn a sovereign nation's leader being martyred now finds the courage to book the one man who did."

Srinagar Police has registered FIR No. 02/2026 against @RuhullahMehdi under BNS Sections 197(1)(d) and 353(1)(b) at Cyber Police Station, Srinagar for what they term "circulation of misleading content."

The same administration that couldn't find the courage to condemn a… pic.twitter.com/ZCEA6qAkGr — Office of Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi (@Office_ASRM) March 3, 2026

His office also said the people of Srinagar did not elect their MP to “recite government-approved condolences”. “They elected him to speak the truth. That mandate does not expire with an FIR,” the statement read.

The FIRs were filed after parts of Kashmir were gripped by three days of street protests over the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint US–Israel strike. Both Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi and Junaid Azim Mattu shared posts related to those demonstrations on their social media accounts.

According to NDTV, the case has been registered under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections relating to making or publishing false or misleading information, jeopardising the sovereignty, unity and integrity or security of India.

Earlier, Ruhullah said his Facebook account was suspended. “Some fools in J&K police and administration think that by withdrawing or downgrading my security detail and suspending my Facebook account will stop me from calling out their atrocities. It is laughable,” MP Ruhullah told The Hindu.

He said his father was “martyred standing for his people and that’s what fascinates me”.

According to NDTV, the police have also registered a separate FIR against several media outlets and social media handles. The Facebook pages of three prominent Srinagar-based newspapers have been taken down.

In a statement as quoted by NDTV, the police said they had taken serious note of the “deliberate circulation of false, fabricated and misleading information by certain news channels, media outlets and individuals across electronic and social media platforms,” adding that action was being initiated under relevant provisions of law.