On 5 January 2026, the District Magistrate (DM) Srinagar ordered an immediate suspension of all Virtual Private Network (VPN) services across the district for two months under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The order, issued after a report from the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar, cites serious concerns over public order, cyber security and misuse of encrypted networks.
(Developing Story: Enforcement and further clarifications from authorities are still in progress.)
Key Highlights
- DM Srinagar has ordered a two-month suspension of all VPN services within the district limits.
- The order is issued under Section 163 of the BNSS after a report from SSP Srinagar.
- Authorities say VPNs are being misused to incite unrest, spread inflammatory content and evade monitoring.
- Government departments using authorised VPNs via the National Informatics Centre (NIC) are exempt.
- Across Kashmir, over 150 people have been booked in a wider crackdown on banned VPN usage.
Main News Details
According to the order issued by District Magistrate Akshay Labroo, IAS, all types of VPN services stand suspended within the territorial jurisdiction of district Srinagar for a period of two months from the date of issuance, unless withdrawn earlier.
The DM has invoked powers under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which allows district authorities to take preventive measures in situations that may threaten public safety or disturb public order.
The order follows a detailed report from the Senior Superintendent of Police, Srinagar, flagging “apprehensions regarding the misuse of VPN services by vested interests” in ways that may adversely affect public order and cyber security in the district.
Authorities note that VPN services encrypt data traffic and create point-to-point tunnels, allowing users to conceal IP addresses and bypass website restrictions and firewalls. The order states that these features can be exploited for unlawful and anti-national activities, including the incitement of unrest, dissemination of inflammatory material and coordination of activities prejudicial to the maintenance of law and order.
The DM has further directed that the order be widely publicised through the district website, leading newspapers and notices on government office boards. The Senior Superintendent of Police, Srinagar, has been tasked with ensuring “strict implementation” of the suspension.
Official Statements & Wider Crackdown
The text of the DM’s order states:
“In the interest of public safety, maintenance of law and order, and protection of sensitive information from potential cyber exploitation, it has become imperative to take immediate preventive measures.”
The order clarifies that the suspension does not apply to authorised VPN usage by government departments operating through the National Informatics Centre (NIC).
The Srinagar directive comes amid a broader Valley-wide crackdown on unauthorised VPN use. A PTI-based report in The New Indian Express notes that police have initiated legal proceedings against 69 people across several districts for violating existing VPN ban orders issued on security grounds.
A separate report in IBTimes India states that Jammu and Kashmir Police have booked over 150 individuals in the last three days as part of a Valley-wide campaign against banned VPN services, including cases in Budgam, Kulgam, Sopore, Anantnag and Doda.
An explainer in Deccan Herald notes that VPNs remain legal under Indian law and are commonly used for privacy and secure browsing, but J&K authorities have tightened restrictions citing security and public order concerns.
Impact: What This Means for Residents and Businesses
For residents of Srinagar, the immediate impact is that commercial and consumer VPN apps may stop working on local networks for at least two months, affecting users who rely on these tools for privacy, remote work or accessing geo-restricted services.
Local businesses, journalists, IT professionals and students who use VPNs for secure connections may need to review their setups and seek lawful alternatives, especially where work flows depend on encrypted remote access. Any continued use of unauthorised VPNs now risks police action under the BNSS and related local orders.
At the same time, government offices in Srinagar can continue using authorised VPNs routed through the National Informatics Centre, meaning core administrative functions and secure inter-government communications should remain unaffected.
Digital rights and cyber-law observers are likely to watch how the order is implemented on the ground, particularly around proportional enforcement, safeguards for legitimate use and clarity on when and how the suspension might be reviewed.
FAQs
The District Magistrate Srinagar, Akshay Labroo, IAS, has ordered the suspension based on a report from SSP Srinagar.
The order suspends all VPN services in district Srinagar for two months from 5 January 2026, unless withdrawn earlier.
No. Authorised VPN usage by government departments through the National Informatics Centre (NIC) is specifically exempted.
Authorities say VPNs are being misused to hide identities, bypass restrictions and coordinate activities that could disturb public order and threaten cyber security.
Yes. Police have launched a Valley-wide crackdown on banned VPN usage, with over 150 people booked and legal proceedings initiated against at least 69 individuals across multiple districts.
Disclaimer
This report is based on officially issued district orders and agency-sourced news reports regarding VPN restrictions in Jammu and Kashmir. Residents and organisations should refer to notifications from the District Magistrate Srinagar, J&K Police and the Government of Jammu & Kashmir, and seek professional legal or technical advice before making decisions related to compliance, digital security or business operations.
