27 October,2026 01:04 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Bombay High Court. File Pic
The Bombay High Court on Tuesday quashed a criminal case against a 20-year-old engineering student from Pune for reposting a controversial social media post about Operation Sindoor, observing that the incident appeared to be an isolated act followed by the deletion of the post and an expression of remorse, reported PTI.
A single-judge bench of Justice Milind Jadhav said the student deserved an opportunity to move forward, noting that she had already spent time in custody, reported PTI.
"That in itself for a young student is a scar which cannot be erased easily," Justice Jadhav said.
The student was arrested on May 9, 2025, over an Instagram repost concerning India-Pakistan tensions following Operation Sindoor, reported PTI.
In its order, the High Court observed that the student had not created the original content but had reposted material already available on the social media platform, reported PTI.
"The post is undoubtedly contentious, arousing passion and hatred. However, the applicant's (student) role is confined to re-posting the said post which was already available on the social media platform," the court said.
Justice Jadhav noted that the content concerned religion and religious sentiments, requiring sensitivity and responsibility in a society comprising people from different religious communities.
However, the court said the possibility that a publication might cause displeasure or resentment was not, by itself, sufficient grounds for criminal prosecution, reported PTI.
The student had reposted content from an Instagram account named 'Reformistan' on May 7, 2025. The post criticised the Indian government over its actions against Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack.
According to the court, she deleted the post within two hours and publicly expressed remorse and apologised for sharing it. Justice Jadhav observed that the deletion was voluntary and not prompted by any direction from the investigating agency, reported PTI.
The court also found no indication of a deliberate attempt by the student to promote religious hostility, describing the incident as an apparent lapse by a young person.
The High Court observed that criminal proceedings should not be initiated merely because a social media publication is perceived as offensive, unless the conduct falls within the prohibitions prescribed by law, reported PTI.
The student had also challenged her rustication from her college, arguing that the action was arbitrary and unlawful. The High Court had criticised the circumstances surrounding her arrest in May 2025 and ordered her immediate release at the time.
Operation Sindoor was launched by India in May 2025 following the Pahalgam terror attack. The operation involved strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
(With inputs from PTI)
