VPN Users Detained in Doda After District-Wide Ban

• Doda Police detained several VPN users for using banned VPNs.
• VPN use was prohibited on May 2 under BNSS Section 163.
• Ban follows increased security after April 22 Pahalgam attack.

Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district have detained several users for using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), following a district-wide ban issued earlier this month. The detentions were confirmed by the District Police Headquarters in a statement released Friday.

Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, which District Magistrate Harvinder Singh issued on May 2, 2025, provides the legal basis for the crackdown. Citing worries about national security, cybersecurity, and public safety, the directive forbids the use of VPNs by people, organisations, cyber cafés, and ISPs. Unless it is lifted sooner, the prohibition will remain in effect for two months. 

According to the police, technical surveillance helped identify multiple users who were bypassing regional internet restrictions through VPN services. "District Police Doda reminds everyone residing in the jurisdiction of Doda... that VPN usage is prohibited and should not be used till the order remains in force," the official statement said. It further warned that violations would lead to “strict penal consequences.”

Those detained are currently being questioned, and authorities have indicated that further legal steps will follow in accordance with applicable laws. The police have not released specific details regarding the number of individuals detained or the exact charges.

The enforcement comes in the wake of tightened security across the region after a militant attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, which claimed the lives of 25 non-local tourists and one local resident. In response, the administration has taken additional digital measures, including banning access to Pakistan-linked websites and social media platforms.

The move may affect the day-to-day operations of citizens, students, and enterprises that rely on VPNs for secure communication and access to international services, even if the government has insisted that such actions are required for national security. There are no alternatives or exemptions for these users in the order. 

The police have reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining order in the region, but did not respond to additional inquiries at the time of writing. TechNadu will continue to track updates on this developing story.