CAP Sikkim protests arrest of party spokespersons in alleged fake communication case

Citizen Action Party (CAP) Sikkim protested outside the Gangtok District Administrative Centre and the District Court complex on Wednesday after two party spokespersons, Mahesh Rai and Albert Gurung, were arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The duo were produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Gangtok following their arrest.

Arrest linked to CID case over alleged internal police communication

Police said the arrests were carried out after non-bailable warrants issued by the Chief Judicial Magistrate were executed. The CID action followed an ongoing probe connected to CID Police Station Case No. 03/2026, dated July 12. The FIR and charges were registered under Sections 353, 336, 340 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, read with Section 66D of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

According to a police press release, the matter began with a written complaint from Accounts Branch personnel at Sikkim Police Headquarters. The complaint alleged unauthorised access, alteration, fabrication and circulation of an internal official communication. Police stated that on July 9, Accounts personnel shared routine administrative directions through a restricted internal WhatsApp group to help prepare salary bills on time.

Police allege alteration and circulation for public mischief

The investigation, police said, alleges that the communication was accessed through undisclosed sources, removed from its original administrative and technical context, and materially altered. Police added that statements were added that were purportedly from the Finance Department but were not part of the original document. The altered message, police said, was later circulated on social media in a way that portrayed a routine accounting adjustment as evidence of a shortage of funds for government salary payments, potentially creating public alarm and misunderstanding among government employees.

Police said the charges include circulating false information likely to cause public mischief, creating forged electronic records, using forged electronic documents as genuine, criminal conspiracy and cheating by personation through electronic means. They stated that notices under Section 35 of the BNSS were served twice to the accused persons directing them to appear before the investigating officer, but they allegedly did not comply. Warrants were sought on July 20 after repeated non-compliance, and arrests were executed at 9.26 pm on July 21 under Pakyong district jurisdiction.

CAP Sikkim leaders condemned the arrests and held protests demanding the immediate release of the two spokespersons. Party leaders alleged the action was politically motivated and aimed at silencing opposition voices. Sikkim Police, meanwhile, said legal procedure was followed and that the investigation remains ongoing, including checking digital and documentary evidence. The police also urged citizens to verify information through authorised sources before sharing material related to official or sensitive administrative matters.