Delhi Police files FIR over ‘defamatory’ posts targeting PM Modi
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New Delhi: The Delhi Police has registered an FIR over “objectionable and defamatory” social media posts targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with sources saying the posts were made during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests at Jantar Mantar.
A case invoking charges of criminal intimidation, public mischief and defamation has been registered with the Special Cell’s Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit in connection with the matter.
The development comes days after The Indian Express reported on Sunday that the Delhi Police had begun approaching social media platforms seeking the removal of such content.
According to sources, in one of the notices issued to a social media platform, the Delhi Police said the circulation of the “objectionable and defamatory content” had caused serious harm to the Prime Minister’s reputation, dignity and public image.
“The continued availability of such content has the potential to disturb public order, create unnecessary political controversy and erode public trust. Such acts also facilitate misuse of social media platforms for defamation and objectionable content and cyber-enabled offences,” the notice said.
The police directed the platform to “remove or disable access” to the identified accounts and URLs immediately, within three hours of receiving the notice. It also asked the platform to preserve relevant data, logs and subscriber information for evidentiary purposes.
Police have also identified around 500 social media accounts that allegedly circulated deepfake and AI-generated content linked to the protests. According to a police officer, these accounts have been recommended for blocking through the respective social media platforms.
The CJP on July 25 called off its 36-day protest over the alleged NEET-UG question paper leak after the government accepted its demands, including the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Earlier, on July 20, clashes broke out between Delhi Police personnel and students during the protests, leaving several people on both sides injured.
The police subsequently registered 15 FIRs in connection with the violence but later decided to withdraw them. The police are also investigating whether a wider conspiracy was behind the clashes.