Cybercrime – Pune Man Arrested for Allegedly Sharing Morphed Image of Maharashtra Minister
Cybercrime – A man from Pune district has been taken into custody by the Jalgaon Cyber Police for allegedly creating and sharing a digitally altered image of Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan on Facebook. Investigators claim the edited picture, which reportedly depicted the minister alongside a young woman in an objectionable manner, spread rapidly across social media before authorities intervened. The accused, identified as 34-year-old Bharat Balaji Mhaske from Indapur in Pune district, was arrested on Sunday. Police said the investigation remains in progress as they continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the viral post.
Cyber Police Recover Digital Evidence
Following the arrest, cyber investigators seized the mobile phone believed to have been used to prepare and upload the disputed image. Officials said the device will undergo forensic examination to determine how the content was created, stored, and circulated. According to police, the accused is also alleged to have admitted his involvement during questioning. However, investigators said additional digital evidence is being collected before the probe reaches its conclusion.
Complaint Prompted Detailed Inquiry
The case was initiated after Jalgaon Corporator Arvind Bhagwan Deshmukh approached the cyber police with a formal complaint, requesting that those responsible for the viral social media post be identified and appropriate legal action be taken. Acting on the complaint, the cyber crime team launched a technical investigation, tracking the origin of the post through digital records and online activity. Their inquiry eventually led officers to Indapur, where the suspect was located and arrested.
Facebook Content Removed During Action
Police said the controversial Facebook post was removed with the assistance of the Sahyog portal, a platform used to coordinate requests involving online content. Authorities also stated that the Facebook account allegedly linked to the incident has been permanently deleted. According to investigators, the account had accumulated nearly 6,000 followers before its removal. Officials believe eliminating access to the account was an important step in limiting the further spread of the disputed content.
Legal Action Under Criminal and IT Laws
A criminal case has been registered against Bharat Balaji Mhaske under provisions related to defamation in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with relevant sections of the Information Technology Act concerning alleged misuse of digital platforms and electronic content. Police said the investigation will also examine whether anyone else assisted in creating, distributing, or promoting the image across social media.
Authorities have reiterated that the misuse of digital platforms to circulate manipulated or defamatory material can attract serious legal consequences. Cyber police continue to encourage the public to use social media responsibly and to report objectionable or misleading online content through official channels. Officials added that digital forensic analysis and the examination of electronic records will play a key role in establishing the complete sequence of events before the case proceeds further through the legal process.