JAMMU, Feb 20: The Office of the Tehsildar, Pargwal, has issued a show-cause notice following the circulation of an allegedly fabricated and defamatory news item in a WhatsApp group named “J&K Police News Group.”
According to the notice, a post carrying the headline, “Administrative Concerns Intensify in Pargwal Tehsil: Patwari Arrested, Questions Raised over Tehsildar’s Continued Tenure,” was shared from a particular mobile number in the group. The message claimed that a Patwari of Tehsil Pargwal had been trapped or arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau Jammu and also cast aspersions on the functioning and tenure of the Tehsildar.
Officials have described the allegations as completely baseless and without any factual foundation. The notice states that the circulation of such content appears to be a deliberate attempt to malign public servants, mislead the public, undermine confidence in the administration, and create unnecessary unrest.
The communication further refers to relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 — including sections related to defamation, publication of false statements or rumours, and dissemination of misinformation likely to disturb public tranquillity — in addition to Section 66D of the Information Technology Act, 2000, subject to investigation.
The individual concerned has been asked to submit a written explanation within three days, disclose the source of the circulated content, and appear in person before the undersigned on February 23, 2026, at 11:30 AM.
The contents of the show-cause notice (CTN) are reproduced below for reference:
