Third arrest made in Sikkim emblem misuse case; Noel Sharma held by Police

Sikkim Police have arrested Noel Sharma, a key member of the Gorkha Seva Sena, in connection with the alleged misuse of the official state emblem. This arrest comes shortly after two others — Subash Mani Singh from Kalimpong and Bikramadi Rai from Darjeeling — were taken into custody on June 7, following a complaint filed by the state’s Home Department.

The arrests are linked to an invitation card issued for an event titled “Constitutional Legality of Darjeeling-Sikkim Unification”, where the emblem of the Government of Sikkim was allegedly used without permission. The emblem had been officially released in September 2024 to mark 50 years of Sikkim’s statehood and is reserved for formal state use only.

According to the Home Department, the unauthorized use of the emblem appeared to be a deliberate move to suggest state support for the controversial event. Officials stated that the misuse of the emblem could mislead the public and stir confusion around the government’s stance on the issue, which involves the sensitive matter of Darjeeling-Sikkim relations.

Authorities have also raised concerns about misleading statements made after an RTI appeal hearing held in Gangtok on June 4, 2025. One of the accused, Subash Mani Singh, had reportedly attended the hearing and later claimed in a press conference that it was a formal meeting with government officials about the Gorkha Seva Sena’s goals. However, the Home Department clarified that the hearing was strictly procedural and unrelated to any official consultation on policy matters.

Police have registered the case under multiple serious sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, including:

• Section 152: For acts endangering India’s sovereignty and integrity,

• Section 196: For promoting enmity between groups,

• Section 336: For forgery meant to damage reputation or mislead,

The case also includes violations under the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950, due to the unauthorized use of a protected government symbol.

A senior police official said that the investigation is ongoing and more details will be shared in due course. “We are looking into the broader role of the organization and whether more individuals were involved,” he said.

The Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM), the ruling party, has welcomed the police action. In a statement, party leaders said the arrests were necessary to protect the dignity of state institutions and to maintain communal harmony. “No one should misuse state symbols for personal or political gains,” the statement read. They also urged the public to stay calm and united.

Meanwhile, Subash Mani Singh has publicly criticised the arrest on social media, calling it “unfair” and claiming that he was being targeted for raising questions through legal channels like the RTI system. However, government officials insist that the case is about legality and public order, not personal opinions.