Bombay HC quashes case against Pune student over Operation Sindoor repost

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday quashed the criminal case registered against a 20-year-old engineering student from Pune for reposting a controversial social media post about Operation Sindoor. The court noted that the incident appeared to be a one-off, that the post was subsequently deleted and that remorse was expressed.

The hearing was held before a single bench of Justice Milind Jadhav. He said the student should be given a chance to move ahead. He also took note of the fact that she had already had to spend some time in custody. "For a young student, that itself is a stain that is not easily wiped away," Justice Jadhav said.

The student was arrested on May 9, 2025. The action was taken over an Instagram repost related to the tension between India and Pakistan after Operation Sindoor.

In its order, the High Court said the original content had not been created by the student. She had only shared again a post that was already available on social media. "The post is undoubtedly controversial, and it provokes emotion and hatred. However, the applicant's (the student's) role is limited to reposting a post already available on social media," the court said.

Justice Jadhav also noted that the content related to religion and religious sentiments. In a society where people of different faiths live, sensitivity and responsibility are necessary on such subjects, he said. The court made clear, however, that the mere possibility of a publication causing displeasure or anger is not by itself sufficient ground for criminal action.

The student had reposted the content from an Instagram account named "Reformistan" on May 7, 2025. The post criticised the action taken by the Government of India against Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack.

According to the court, she deleted the post within two hours. She also publicly expressed regret for sharing it and apologised. Justice Jadhav noted that she decided to delete the post on her own, and not because of any suggestion from the investigating agency. No indication was found that she had made a deliberate attempt to spread religious enmity. The court described the incident as an evident error by a young person.

The High Court said criminal proceedings should not be initiated merely because a social media publication appears objectionable. Such proceedings can be taken only if the conduct falls within a prohibition laid down by law.

The student had also challenged her expulsion from college, arguing that the action was arbitrary and illegal. The High Court had earlier criticised the circumstances of her arrest in May 2025 and ordered her immediate release.

India launched Operation Sindoor in May 2025 after the Pahalgam terror attack. In the operation, strikes were carried out on terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.