Delhi Police registers FIR over abusive posts against PM, seeks X account details
Delhi Police has registered an FIR against several social media handles for allegedly posting content targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi that it described as “derogatory
Delhi Police has registered an FIR against several social media handles for allegedly posting content targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi that it described as “derogatory, malicious and defamatory”, official sources said. The Special Cell’s Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit has also asked X to provide complete details of the account holders. The police have issued notices to X, formerly Twitter, directing it to remove or disable access to the identified posts and preserve all related electronic records for the investigation. Sources said the platform was asked to take down or block access to the content within three hours of receiving the notices, while keeping all relevant data, logs and subscriber information intact.
Read Full Story According to sources, the FIR names seven to eight handles and has been filed under Sections 351(3) on criminal intimidation, 353(2) on circulating false information, rumours or alarming news, including through electronic media, and 356(2) on defamation under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The case followed a complaint alleging that objectionable content aimed at constitutional authorities was being circulated on the platform. Some of the posts under scrutiny were uploaded during and after the July 20 Sansad Chalo protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party, in which abusive language was allegedly used against the prime minister and security personnel. Officials said at least 65 protesters and more than 200 police personnel were injured during clashes at the protest.
The notices issued under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita seek complete subscriber details of the accounts, including names, addresses, contact details, email IDs, and login and logout records with date and time stamps. Police have also sought any additional information that may help the investigation and asked X to preserve the relevant data for evidentiary purposes. The complaint, according to the notices, alleged that “derogatory, malicious and defamatory” content was circulated on X targeting constitutional functionaries, and investigators are examining whether the posts attract offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and other applicable laws. In a parallel exercise, the IFSO also issued “Intimation to Intermediary for Disabling Access to Unlawful Information” notices under the IT Act rules and the Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code Rules, 2021, directing X to disable access to several identified URLs.
