Two Booked In Jammu & Kashmir's Rajouri For Violating VPN Ban

The Rajouri Police in Jammu and Kashmir have registered two separate cases for violations of prohibitory orders issued by District Magistrate Rajouri Abhishek Sharma, who has banned the use of all Virtual Private Network (VPN) services across the district. The action comes as part of strict enforcement measures aimed at ensuring compliance with the directive.

During a routine naka checking, a police team from Manjakote Police Station apprehended Mohd Nasar, a resident of Dheri Raylote, for allegedly using a VPN application on his mobile phone. Police subsequently registered an FIR under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Manjakote Police Station.

In a separate incident, personnel from Darhal Police Station stopped Mohd Mukhtar

(38), a resident of Madhoon Dodaj, and found him in possession of a phone with a VPN application installed. An FIR under Section 223 BNS was registered against him at Darhal Police Station.

Authorities reiterated their warning to residents, urging the public to strictly follow the District Magistrate’s restrictions and avoid using VPN services in violation of the order. Police officials said that enforcement drives would continue and action would be taken against anyone found flouting the ban.

On Saturday, authorities ordered an immediate two-month suspension of all VPN services in the border district, citing public safety and potential misuse of such platforms for unlawful activities.

The District Magistrate passed the directive under Section 163 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), following a communication by police. The Senior Superintendent of Police, Rajouri, has been directed to ensure strict implementation of the order in letter and spirit.