Guwahati: Delhi Police has registered an FIR over allegedly objectionable and defamatory social media posts targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the posts reportedly linked to the recent Cockroach Janta Party-led (CJP) student protests at Jantar Mantar.
The case has been registered by the Special Cell’s Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit under charges of criminal intimidation, public mischief and defamation.
Police have also identified around 500 social media accounts that allegedly shared deepfake and AI-generated content related to the protests. According to a police officer, the accounts have been recommended for blocking through the respective social media platforms.
Authorities have begun issuing notices to social media platforms directing them to remove or disable access to the content.
In one such notice, police said the circulation of “objectionable and defamatory content” had caused serious harm to the Prime Minister’s reputation, dignity and public image.
The notice further stated that the continued availability of the content had the potential to disturb public order, create unnecessary political controversy and erode public trust, while facilitating cyber-enabled offences.
Police directed the platforms to remove or disable access to the identified accounts and URLs within three hours of receiving the notice and preserve all relevant data, logs and subscriber information for investigation.
The CJP had called off its 36-day protest on July 25 after the government accepted its demands, including the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Clashes had broken out between protesters and Delhi Police personnel on July 20 during CJP’s ‘Sansad Chalo’ march, leaving several student protesters injured.
Police had subsequently registered 15 FIRs in connection with the violence. Although the cases were later withdrawn, investigators are examining whether a wider conspiracy was involved.