A special National Investigation Agency court in Srinagar has directed three Jammu and Kashmir residents, who are based in the United States and Germany, to appear before it by the end of January in cases pertaining to them allegedly using social media platforms to promote anti-India sentiments, The New Indian Express reported on Tuesday.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police’s intelligence wing had booked Mubeen Ahmad Shah and Azizul Hassan Ashai, alias Tony Ashai, from Srinagar, and Rifat Wani from Kupwara in 2020, according to PTI.

While Shah and Ashai are in the United States, Wani is based in Germany, The Indian Express reported.

In March 2021, Scroll reported that cases against Shah and Wani related to political speeches made on social media.

They were booked under Indian Penal Code sections pertaining to promoting enmity, hatred or disharmony between groups, and statements creating or promoting enmity. The police had also invoked the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, The Indian Express on Wednesday quoted the intelligence wing as having stated.

It added that the case was registered on the basis of “credible intelligence inputs” revealing a “well-orchestrated conspiracy by unscrupulous anti-social and anti-national elements operating at the behest of secessionist forces” within and outside the Kashmir valley.

The persons were “masquerading as news portals, journalists and freelancers” while “weaponising” Facebook, X and WhatsApp to create, upload and circulate “fake, motivated, exaggerated, secessionist and out-of-context content”, stated the Counter Intelligence Kashmir.

They had aimed to “incite street violence, disrupt normal life, damage public property, disturb public order and fuel mass unrest”, it further said.

The persons accused in the matter allegedly absconded after a notice for their arrest was issued, following which the NIA court issued a proclamation notice directing them to appear before it by January 31.

Despite being declared absconders, the persons are active on social media and spreading allegedly misleading content aimed at inciting violence in Jammu and Kashmir, the police were quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

Also read: In a first, J&K police goes after Kashmiris living outside India