Jammu : A local newsman was arrested in Jammu on Wednesday by police under the Official Secrets Act of 1923.
The Jammu district police stated that journalist Tarun Behl has been placed in police remand for four days. An FIR has been filed under Section 3/5 of the Official Secrets Act 1923 and Section 49/353 of the Indian Penal Code at Channi Himmat Police Station, and an investigation is underway.
According to a police spokesman, Channi Himmat Police Station received information from reliable sources that a secret document issued by Police Headquarters, containing security details, was circulating in the WhatsApp groups ‘The Sree Times’ and ‘Aasman Newspaper’, managed by Tarun Behl. The document was allegedly shared with the malicious intent of spreading misinformation. Consequently, Tarun Behl was arrested and taken into police remand for four days. The investigation is ongoing, the spokesman added.
The police have urged media houses and WhatsApp group administrators to refrain from uploading and circulating any information or documents that could jeopardize national security and sovereignty. They warned that strict action would be taken against those who act irresponsibly.
