Photo: AT
Guwahati, March 23: The Gauhati High Court rejected the plea of Assam-based advocate Md Taher Ahmed Barbhuiya to quash the FIR lodged against him for allegedly glorifying the Taliban on social media platform in August last year when the US was withdrawing its troops out of Afghanistan.
An FIR was lodged against Barbhuiya by Hailakandi Police on August 21, 2021, wherein it was stated that the Facebook profile with the name Advocate Taher Ahmed Barbhuiya has posted "Ek Itihash Srishti Holo, Taliban Zindabad" which means "A history has been created, long live Taliban" on his Facebook wall. They further alleged Barbhuiya's post has praised and glorified 'Tehreek-e-Taliban', a terrorist group who have waged prolonged violent war against a democratically elected government in Afghanistan.
The case was registered against Barbhuiya under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 at Lala police station. He later moved to the High Court for quashing the FIR.
While clarifying his stance he stated that he has not posted any incriminating message on his Facebook account as alleged in the FIR. He also mentioned that he criticised the Taliban and applauded the American soldier for the rescue mission and he has been falsely framed in the case. He added that the contents of the Facebook posts as mentioned in the FIR is doctored and manufactured and circulated in his name by some unknown persons.
Rejecting the submissions of Barbhuiya, the court noted the assertions made in the FIR, disclosed the commission of a cognizable offence by the petitioner and it found no merit in this petition and accordingly, the same stood dismissed.
