The Maharashtra State Cyber Department has registered a First Information Report (FIR) against 12 social media handles, including the official ‘X’ account of Nagpur Congress Sevadal, for posting a defamatory video aimed at maligning the image of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The accused have posted and shared a maliciously edited video of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s recent speech on Naxalism to incite unrest and provoke societal divisions. The X handle @SevadalNGP, with a following of 3,290 users, describes itself in the bio as the “Official X Handle Of Nagpur Congress Sevadal.” According to a senior police official from the Maharashtra Cyber Crime Department, the video posted by this account, along with others, falsely claims that CM Fadnavis does not believe in the Constitution of India, democracy, and constitutional institutions, while suggesting he intended to create a parallel state.

 

Fadnavis had delivered the speech during the recently concluded Winter Session of the State Legislature, where he said the Naxalites do not believe in the Constitution of India and democracy, and want to set up a parallel State. The edited video had the initial part referring to the Naxalites cut, making it appear that the Chief Minister was saying he himself did not believe in the Constitution and democracy, the police official said. The video, which was heavily edited and taken out of context, has since gone viral, particularly among certain fringe elements. These users have been accused of using the content to spread derogatory and abusive comments and aimed to stir social unrest and disturb public order, officials revealed.

 

In addition to the Nagpur Congress Sevadal X handle, other individuals and accounts under scrutiny include: Bharat Bhavla Shinde (@Bs131B), Suddhodhan Sahajrao (@Suddhodhan74629), Nagpur Congress Sevadal (@SevadalNGP), Saurabh Singh Chauhan (@Sbchauhan0103), Mukesh Lavhale (@MukeshLavhale), suresh.kale, Prasad Salvi, Varad Kanki, Amol Kamble, Syed Saleem, THE SMART 230K, and Vishnu Bhotkar. The official also informed that the Maharashtra Cyber Department actively monitors social media platforms to prevent the spread of content that could harm public order or social harmony.

 

A formal complaint was filed by a representative of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing these individuals of attempting to defame the Chief Minister and disrupt the peace in Maharashtra. Following the complaint, police launched an investigation, leading to the registration of a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, 2000. The accused are facing charges related to the creation and dissemination of defamatory content intended to incite violence, disrupt social order, and tarnish the reputation of public figures. Maharashtra Cyber Department has also issued notices to the intermediaries and service providers of the accused social media platforms, demanding information regarding the involved handles.