Sikkim Govt files FIR over fake merger letter, Police begins cyber investigation

SKM & BJP also lodges complaint, seeks prompt probe

GANGTOK,: Multiple FIRs have been filed with Sikkim Police on Friday over the creation and circulation of a fake document on social media regarding merger of Sikkim and Darjeeling while falsely attributing to the Union Home minister.

The Sikkim government through the Home department lodged an FIR and sought immediate legal and cyber action against unknown individuals involved in the creation and circulation of the forged and fabricated document falsely attributed to the Union Home Minister regarding the fake letter claiming merger of Sikkim and Darjeeling.

“It has come to the notice of the State government that a fabricated letter, purportedly issued under the signature of the Hon’ble Union Home Minister, Government of India, regarding the merger of Sikkim and Darjeeling, is being widely circulated on social media platforms including Facebook. The document in circulation is forged, fake, and has been created with malicious intent to spread disinformation, create panic, and disturb public order and communal harmony in the State of Sikkim,” said the Home department in its complaint addressed to the Sikkim DGP.

Such deliberate dissemination of false information, relating to the territorial integrity of the State is a serious offence and has the potential to create public mischief, incite unrest, and adversely impact national interest, said the Home department.

Taking serious cognizance of the matter, the State government directed immediate registration of an FIR and thorough investigation into the origin and circulation of the forged document.

Accordingly, Sadar Police Station Case No. 46/2026 dated 22/05/2026 has been registered under relevant BNS sections read with Section 66(c) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, along with other relevant provisions of law.

The case has been entrusted to the Cyber Crime Police Station, Sikkim Police, for technical investigation to trace the origin, IP addresses, and individuals responsible for creating and circulating the fake content, it was informed.

The State government has also directed necessary measures for blocking and removal of the false content from social media platforms in coordination with concerned authorities, while intensifying monitoring mechanisms to prevent further spread of misinformation.

The State government appealed to the public not to believe or circulate any unverified and fabricated information capable of disturbing peace, unity, and harmony in Sikkim.

Similarly, the ruling SKM formally lodged an FIR at Sadar Police Station, Gangtok, against the circulation of a forged government document falsely claiming the merger of Darjeeling Hills, Kalimpong, Terai and Dooars with Sikkim. 

The FIR, lodged on behalf of the SKM Student Wing by district convenor Anamika Gurung, states that the fake document was deliberately fabricated to resemble an official communication of the Ministry of Home Affairs and circulated with the intention to spread misinformation, create public panic and disturb communal harmony. 

BJP Sikkim has also lodged an FIR at Sadar Thana, Gangtok against the circulation of the fake and misleading Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) notification on social media falsely claiming the merger of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Dooars with Sikkim.

The State BJP strongly condemned it as provocative propaganda aimed at creating unrest and urged people not to share unverified content. The deliberate creation and circulation of such misinformation appears to have been carried out with a mala fide intention to incite misunderstanding, public panic, regional unrest, and disturb communal harmony and peaceful coexistence amongst the people, said the party.

The State BJP urged Sikkim Police to conduct a thorough investigation to identify, trace and ascertain the individual (s), organisation (s), page administrators, digital entities, or any other person (s) involved in creating, originating, editing, uploading, publishing, and circulating the said fake content, and to take strict legal action.