Unauthorized Use of  Sikkim Government Emblem, FIR Against Gorkha Seva Sena Members”

 

Gangtok | June 6, 2025 — The Government of Sikkim has filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Mr. Noel Sharma, Mr. Bikramadi Rai, and Mr. Subash Mani Singh for allegedly committing serious offences against the State and its people. The accused are reportedly associated with the organization “Gorkha Seva Sena” based in Darjeeling, West Bengal.

According to the FIR filed by the Home Department, the trio misused an official RTI appeal hearing to misrepresent the facts in a press conference, causing confusion and disharmony. Mr. Subash Mani Singh had been issued a letter for an RTI appeal hearing on June 4, 2025, which was conducted in the chamber of the Appellate Authority. The department alleges that this internal hearing was twisted to appear as if the Government of Sikkim supported the organization’s controversial agenda.

Further, the individuals allegedly used the Government of Sikkim’s official logo and theme—commemorating 50 years of Sikkim’s Statehood—without authorization in an invitation card for an event discussing the “Constitutional Legality of Darjeeling–Sikkim Unification.” This use of government symbols for a politically sensitive event was seen as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and imply official endorsement of the unification narrative.

The FIR states that this act has violated several provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023:

Section 152: Acts endangering sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India

Section 196: Promotion of enmity between groups

Section 336: Forgery for the purpose of harming reputation or misleading the public

Additionally, the accused may also face penalties under the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950, for unauthorized use of government insignia.

The Home Department expressed serious concern that the actions could provoke enmity between communities in Sikkim and Darjeeling, disrupt public order, and damage the integrity of the State Government. The department emphasized that if such acts remain unaddressed, they could lead to significant unrest and loss of public confidence in the State’s governance.

The FIR has been registered at Sadar Police Station, Gangtok, and the Home Department has attached relevant documents including the RTI hearing letter, appeal order, and the invitation letter used by the accused.