Bombay HC Refuses To Quash FIR Against Pune Teacher Over Derogatory WhatsApp Posts On 'Operation Sindoor'

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday refused to quash an FIR against a Pune schoolteacher who allegedly posted derogatory messages and visuals on a women-only WhatsApp group after the Indian Army’s Operation Sindoor, including a video showing the national flag burning and mocking the Prime Minister.

HC: Well-Educated Woman Caused Incalculable Harm

The court observed that the woman, a well-educated lady, had caused innumerable damage by her messages. It also said that the content of the messages indicated a “clear mens rea” (mental state of an accused) and required a thorough investigation.

A bench of Justices Ajey Gadkari and Rajesh Patil dismissed the petition filed by 46-year-old Farah Deeba seeking to quash the FIR registered by Kalepadal Police Station, Pune on May 15.

The complaint was filed by Sheetal Bhujbal (35), a fellow resident, who alleged that Deeba disrupted communal harmony in a 380-member WhatsApp group created for women in the housing society.

The dispute arose on May 7, 2025, after the Indian Army conducted Operation Sindoor. While several members praised the army with patriotic slogans like “Jai Hind,” Deeba allegedly posted, “We have TV and mobiles, so this group need not become a national news channel,” followed by a laughing emoji.

She allegedly escalated matters by posting derogatory video against the Prime Minister and the national flag burning, along with a status that described India as “Makkar”. She also stated her paternal and maternal families were from Pakistan.

The prosecution argued that her messages and actions were deliberate and inflammatory.

Deeba claimed she was not in a sound mental state at the time and deleted the messages after realising they had offended others. She also submitted that she had apologised and suffered professional loss, having been removed from her teaching job.

“The Petitioner is a well educated lady holding a Masters Degree in English and also a B. Ed. Degree… Though the Petitioner tendered her apology to the Complainant, however, in our view, innumerable damage has already been caused by the Petitioner’s messages which were circulated,” the court said.

Bombay HC Sets Aside Pune Student’s Rustication Over 'Operation Sindoor' Post, Cites Breach Of Natural Justice

Court Slams Irresponsible Social Media Use by Teacher

The court noted that her messages, immediately after the ‘Operation Sindoor’, stirred emotions in the WhatsApp group. “What is expected of a prudent person is that, before putting up any kind of message on social group, a person like the petitioner who is educated and teacher by profession should also think about the pros and cons which might occur due to sending online messages through her social media account (WhatsApp),” the bench said while rejecting her petition.