Maharashtra Cyber cracks down on offensive social media posts, seizing phones and hunting six more suspects in a scandal rocking digital platforms
Authorities have seized accused’s mobile phone. Representation pic/istock
In a significant crackdown on digital offences targeting religious sentiments, Maharashtra Cyber has registered a criminal case against individuals accused of circulating obscene and offensive content depicting revered Hindu deities.
The case has been filed under Sections 196, 294, and 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, read with Sections 67 and 67(A) of the Information Technology Act, 2000. The objectionable material—including manipulated images and explicit videos—was widely circulated across social media platforms such as X and Facebook, as well as on online marketplaces and pornographic websites.
“Following technical analysis of fake social media profiles, one accused, a 39-year-old Bachelor of Commerce graduate currently pursuing Chartered Accountancy, was arrested from Indore, Madhya Pradesh,” Maharashtra Cyber said.
The arrested individual has been remanded to police custody until May 13, as investigations continue. According to officials, the accused operated a fake X account used to post obscene and deliberately provocative content, allegedly intended to incite communal disharmony and hurt religious sentiments.
Authorities have seized the accused’s mobile phone. A subsequent digital forensic analysis led to the identification of six additional X accounts involved in similar offences. These accounts, suspected to be working in coordination, were also found circulating objectionable content targeting Hindu deities.
With the total number of interconnected accounts now at seven, Maharashtra Cyber has intensified efforts to trace the identities of others operating fake profiles across digital platforms.
In a statement, the department reiterated its commitment to protecting digital spaces from abuse that targets religious beliefs, spreads obscenity, or disrupts public harmony. Maharashtra Cyber emphasised its zero-tolerance approach to any online activity that defames religions or communities, assuring that strict legal action would be taken against offenders.
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