New Delhi: The Delhi Police has initiated a First Information Report (FIR) against multiple social media accounts for allegedly disseminating derogatory and defamatory content aimed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Official sources confirmed this development on Wednesday.
The FIR was lodged by the Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit of the Special Cell, which has also sent notices to the social media platform X, instructing it to remove or restrict access to the identified posts and to preserve all related electronic records for further investigation.
X, previously known as Twitter, has been given a three-hour window to comply with the notice upon receipt, ensuring that all pertinent data, logs, and subscriber information are retained.
The FIR targets approximately seven to eight accounts and cites violations under Sections 351(3) (criminal intimidation), 353(2) (spreading false information), and 356(2) (defamation) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
This action follows a complaint alleging that objectionable material directed at constitutional authorities was being shared on the platform.
Some of the scrutinized posts were reportedly published during and after the July 20 Sansad Chalo protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party, where offensive language was directed at both Prime Minister Modi and law enforcement officials. Reports indicate that the protests resulted in injuries to at least 65 demonstrators and over 200 police officers.
The notices issued to X request comprehensive subscriber information, including names, addresses, contact numbers, email addresses, and login/logout timestamps. The police have also asked for any additional information that could aid the investigation and have requested the preservation of relevant data for evidentiary purposes.
The complaints allege that the content shared on X was derogatory and aimed at undermining constitutional officials. Investigators are currently assessing whether these posts constitute offenses under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and other relevant laws.
In a related effort, the IFSO has sent notices to X under the IT Act and Digital Media Ethics Code Rules, 2021, directing the platform to disable access to several specific URLs that host unlawful content.
The notices indicate that the material on the platform allegedly contained false and objectionable information intended to tarnish the reputations of public figures.
One notice references an FIR filed by the Special Cell, alleging that the circulation of this content has severely damaged the reputation and public image of the Prime Minister, potentially disrupting public order and inciting unnecessary controversy.
The police have stated that the investigation is ongoing, and further actions will be determined based on the digital evidence and information obtained from the social media platform.
