Leh, Oct 09: The District Magistrate of Leh, Romil Singh Donk, has issued a directive prohibiting the circulation, sharing, or forwarding of fake news, rumours, and unverified information on social media platforms within the district. The order, issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, took effect on October 9, 2025, and will remain in force for two months or until further notice.
The administration cited concerns over the spread of misinformation through platforms including WhatsApp, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Telegram, and YouTube, which posed a potential threat to law and order in the region. Authorities emphasized that the move is aimed at preserving peace and tranquillity across Leh.
Under the order, individuals are barred from sharing or forwarding any unverified or misleading news on social media. Group administrators have been instructed to monitor content closely, remove false material promptly, and enable ‘Admin Only’ settings in WhatsApp groups to prevent misuse.
The notification warned that any person found creating or disseminating fake content would face strict legal action under relevant provisions. The order, issued ex-parte, was described as a necessary measure in the interest of public safety and maintaining order.
District authorities have urged residents to verify the authenticity of messages before sharing them, highlighting the role of citizens in preventing the spread of misinformation.
