Kashmir University suspends Assistant Professor after police registers FIR against him for circulating defamatory content

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, DECEMBER 22 (STC): The University of Kashmir has placed an assistant professor of the Department of Kashmiri under suspension in connection with an FIR registered at Police Station Nigeen, Hazratbal, Srinagar.
According to an official order issued by the university administration, the Assistant Professor identified as Dr. Altaf Ahmad Ganie, also known by his pen name Shafqat Altaf, has been suspended with immediate effect pending enquiry.
Reports quoting sources said that on December 9, 2025, Police Station Nigeen received an application through electronic mode from a female Associate Professor (name withheld) of the University of Kashmir. In her complaint, the applicant alleged that Dr. Shafqat Altaf, Assistant Professor in the Department of Kashmiri, and Mr. Farooq Ahmad Malik, Assistant Professor in the Higher Education Department at Government Degree College Anantnag, had circulated false, defamatory, and obscene content about her on various social media platforms.
They said that the complainant alleged that the content was shared intentionally to damage her reputation and outrage her modesty, and that the acts had left her feeling threatened and intimidated.
On the basis of the complaint, FIR No. 108/2025 was registered at Police Station Nigeen under Sections 79 (Insulting the modesty of a woman), 351(2) (Criminal intimidation) (aggravated form), and 356(2) (Defamation through electronic or other means) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), read with Section 67 (Publishing or transmitting obscene content in electronic form) of the Information Technology Act.
Meanwhile, a police officer said that the investigation in the case is ongoing and that further legal action, as warranted under law, will be taken in due course. He added that the case will be pursued to its logical and conclusive end.

A university official said that Vice Chancellor Professor Neelofar Khan has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against misconduct and malign campaigns in the university campus and has warned all university staff to refrain from any conduct that contravenes the rules and regulations of the institution.
He further said that harassment of women at the workplace will be completely weeded out from the campus, and her consistent efforts are aimed at making the university a safer and more secure place for all, particularly women employees.
(Straight Talk Communications I Inputs KDC)