Cybercrime – Hyderabad Police Register Cases Over Morphed Posts Targeting PM Modi
Cybercrime – Hyderabad Cybercrime police have initiated legal action after complaints alleged that manipulated and objectionable social media content targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi was being circulated on Facebook and Instagram. The cases name the India head of Meta along with several social media accounts accused of publishing or allowing such material on their platforms.
The complaints claim that the disputed content included digitally altered images and videos that portrayed the prime minister in an offensive and misleading manner. Police have begun an investigation to determine whether any laws governing online content, identity misuse, and electronic records were violated.
Businessman Alleges Objectionable Instagram Content
The first complaint was filed by 29-year-old businessman S. Aravind Reddy, who stated that he encountered multiple posts while browsing Instagram. According to his complaint, the material consisted of morphed videos and manipulated images allegedly presenting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an obscene and derogatory manner.
The complaint further alleged that some visuals depicted the prime minister alongside Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, while another edited image reportedly involved US President Donald Trump. It claimed that the content appeared to have been created or modified using digital editing tools or artificial intelligence before being shared across social media platforms.
Complaint Raises Concerns Over Public Impact
In his submission to the police, Reddy argued that the circulation of such content could mislead social media users and contribute to the spread of misinformation. The complaint also expressed concern that such posts might provoke hostility, disturb public order, offend public decency, damage the reputation of public figures, and create unnecessary social tension.
Investigators are expected to examine the origin of the content, how widely it was circulated, and whether any platform policies or legal provisions were violated during its publication.
BJP Worker Files Separate Complaint
A second case was registered based on a complaint submitted by T. Saikiran Goud, a Telangana BJP activist and member of the party’s social media coordination team. He alleged that he came across objectionable reels and morphed images involving the prime minister while using Facebook and Instagram on Wednesday.
In his complaint, Goud requested a detailed investigation into several accounts that he claimed were publishing material harmful to India’s sovereignty, integrity, and public order. He maintained that the content was derogatory towards the prime minister and called for appropriate legal action after a thorough inquiry.
Some Posts No Longer Accessible
A review of the accounts mentioned in the complaints found that some of the questioned Facebook and Instagram posts had already been removed, while others were no longer accessible to users in India. It was not immediately clear whether the content had been deleted by the account holders or restricted through platform action.
The police are expected to verify digital evidence, including archived posts and account activity, as part of the ongoing investigation.
Cases Registered Under IT Act and BNS
Hyderabad Cybercrime police have registered the cases under Sections 66-C and 67 of the Information Technology Act, relating to identity theft and the publication or transmission of obscene material in electronic form. The cases also invoke Sections 353(2) and 336(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, covering allegations connected to statements conducive to public mischief and forged electronic records that may harm a person’s reputation.
Officials have confirmed that the investigation is continuing, and further action will depend on the findings gathered during the inquiry.