The Noida police registered a case against a resident of Sector-9, Noida, identified as Junaid, also known as Rehan, for posting a picture of underworld figure Dawood Ibrahim on his social media profile on the apprehension that it could trigger communal discord and threaten public peace.
The incident came to light when sub-inspector Rahul Pratap Singh from Noida's Phase-1 police station received a tip-off regarding the image upload on Junaid's X account (formerly Twitter). Following the tip, the case was assigned to Phase-1 police station in-charge Amit Bhadana, who confirmed that an investigation is underway to assess the motivations behind the post and any potential risks to community harmony.
Dawood Ibrahim, considered one of India's most wanted criminals, is linked to extensive criminal activities, including the 1993 Mumbai bombings, organized crime, and money laundering, among others. His image, associated with significant criminal undertakings, has been flagged as a possible catalyst for communal unrest, prompting law enforcement to act swiftly.
To address the matter, authorities have invoked Section 196 (1) (B) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, a provision designed to curtail activities that may threaten harmony among communities or disturb public peace. The law gives the police jurisdiction to charge individuals engaged in acts that could potentially provoke communal tension or harm societal stability.
"Ensuring public peace and security is our primary responsibility, and such incidents that carry a high risk of provoking discord will be dealt with according to the law," said police in-charge Bhadana. This section allows for preventive measures to be taken against actions deemed capable of inciting unrest.
As the investigation unfolds, police are examining Junaid’s motives and any possible links to organized crime, with the current focus on maintaining social harmony within the community. Authorities have stressed the importance of curbing any displays that could glamorize or lend support to criminal figures.