SOPORE, March 26 – Kashmir Bulletin, a regional news portal, has denied any involvement in a defamation lawsuit filed by Zahid Gani Mirchall after its executive editor, was summoned by a Court of Additional District Judge in Sopore on Wednesday.
In a statement posted on X, Kashmir Bulletin clarified its position: “We strongly deny any involvement in the defamation case filed by Zahid Gani Mirchall. The content in question was posted on a fake page, not our official platform. Our editor attended court today, and the next hearing is set for May 14, 2025. We urge proper verification to avoid such errors. #KashmirBulletin,” the statement read.
The Chenab Times reached out to Burhan Nazir, the executive editor of Kashmir Bulletin, following the tweet for further details. Nazir confirmed that the summons was received earlier this week, requiring his appearance in court on March 26. He reiterated that the portal was wrongly implicated in the case, emphasizing that the defamatory content was shared on a fake page impersonating Kashmir Bulletin, not the official platform.
“The court has given us a new date, May 14, to present our side. We are confident that the truth will come out, and we will be cleared of any wrongdoing,” Nazir told The Chenab Times, adding that the portal is fully cooperating with the legal process.
The case has raised concerns about the misuse of fake social media pages to spread misinformation, with Kashmir Bulletin calling for better verification processes to prevent legitimate entities from being dragged into legal disputes. Nazir expressed frustration over the lack of due diligence in identifying the source of the content before naming the portal as a defendant.
Legal experts contacted by The Chenab Times noted that the incident underscores the challenges of regulating online content and the growing problem of fake accounts on social media platforms. They suggested that such cases highlight the need for stricter measures to combat impersonation and misinformation online.
Anzer Ayoob is the Founder and Chief Editor to The Chenab Times