A 20-year-old engineering student from Pune has been arrested and rusticated from her college following a controversial Instagram story in which she shared posts praising Pakistan and allegedly criticizing India’s military response in the wake of the Pahalgam massacre.
The accused, identified as Khadija Shahabuddin Sheikh, a second-year Information Technology student at Sinhgad Academy of Engineering, Kondhwa Budruk, was arrested by Kondhwa Police on Thursday.
Hindus protested that she be arrested for posting pro-Pakistani content and supporting the enemy nation.
This is after Hindus protested against the girl in #Kondhwa #Pune. #IndiaPakistanWar #IndianArmy #IndiaPakistanWar2025 pic.twitter.com/e9qVU5A1fu
— Siddhi 🇮🇳 (@sidis28) May 10, 2025
The arrest was made under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) after a police constable lodged a formal complaint. According to police sources, Sheikh had shared screenshots of tweets made by Pakistani nationals, one of which included the phrase “Pakistan Zindabad” and another that referred to “Hindutva extremism.” These posts were uploaded shortly after India’s retaliatory strikes on Pakistani positions under Operation Sindoor, which followed the killing of 26 Indian tourists in Pahalgam by Pakistan-backed militants.
Posts by the concerned person. @sakal_hindu_ pic.twitter.com/qwRO0mYqUb
— Siddhi 🇮🇳 (@sidis28) May 10, 2025
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 5) Rajkumar Shinde confirmed the arrest, stating, “She has been booked under Sections 152, 196, 197, 299, 352, and 353 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita. The content she shared had the potential to incite unrest, especially during this sensitive period. Further investigation is underway.”
Accused has been booked under 152, 196,197,299,352,353 of BNS, 2023.
Action underway at Kondhwa Police station. pic.twitter.com/HJzmufFFfe
— Siddhi 🇮🇳 (@sidis28) May 10, 2025
While the police have not formally disclosed Sheikh’s intent behind the Instagram story, officials said her posts could be interpreted as anti-national in nature and potentially disruptive to public harmony. Her Instagram account has since been deleted.
In a related development, Sinhgad Academy of Engineering has issued a formal rustication letter to Sheikh. The letter, signed by In-charge Principal Dr. K. M. Gaikwad cited her “anti-national sentiments” and stated that her actions violated the institution’s code of conduct. “While this institution recognises the right to free expression, it also expects students to exercise such rights responsibly and within the bounds of the law,” the letter read. “Your posts have been deemed to undermine the reputation of the college and may incite disharmony within the campus community and society.”
Khadija Sheikh has been arrested by Kondhwa Police and Rusticated by Sinhgad College. https://t.co/zv0ePFiUdY pic.twitter.com/1MpdZT3oXM
— Treeni (@TheTreeni) May 9, 2025
The rustication is effective from 9 May 2025, and follows growing calls for accountability and civic responsibility in academic institutions amid heightened national security concerns.
(With inputs from Punekar News)
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