Hyderabad Cybercrime Police have registered cases against Meta India’s head, Arun Srinivas, along with several Facebook and Instagram accounts over the alleged circulation of morphed and objectionable content targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the recent Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests.
The action follows complaints alleging that manipulated videos and images of the Prime Minister were shared on social media platforms, accompanied by abusive and derogatory comments.
Complaints allege circulation of manipulated content
According to the complaints, two individuals claimed they encountered multiple digitally altered or AI-generated videos and images of Prime Minister Modi while browsing Instagram. The complainants alleged that the content portrayed the Prime Minister in an obscene, misleading and derogatory manner.
The complaints further stated that several comments accompanying the posts contained offensive language, ridicule and indecent remarks directed at the Prime Minister and other individuals featured in the content.
According to the complainants, the alleged content had the potential to mislead the public, spread misinformation, incite hatred or public unrest, disturb public order and violate applicable legal provisions.
Cases registered after complaints by two individuals
The complaints were filed by S. Aravind Reddy, a 29-year-old businessman, and T. Saikiran Goud, a Telangana BJP activist.
Police have registered cases against Meta India’s head and several Facebook and Instagram accounts. The report does not indicate that charges have been proven, and the matter remains under investigation.
Many social media posts and comments shared during the student protests that allegedly contained abusive or profane language have also come under scrutiny.
Meta recently outlined safeguards for PM Modi’s account
The development comes days after Meta drew criticism from the government after a video posted from Prime Minister Modi’s official account was briefly blocked on Facebook.
Following the incident, Meta assured the government that it had strengthened safeguards for the Prime Minister’s account. According to sources, posts from prominent accounts will receive additional oversight, with only senior Meta officials authorised to review such content before moderation decisions are made. The company has also reportedly informed the government that such decisions will undergo review by at least two senior officials.
Sources also indicated that Meta representatives are expected to meet government officials to discuss content regulation and other related issues.
Delhi Police had also sought removal of offensive posts
Earlier, Delhi Police directed multiple social media platforms to remove posts and videos containing allegedly offensive and abusive remarks against the Prime Minister that were uploaded during the student protests at Jantar Mantar and the violence linked to the July 20 ‘Sansad Chalo’ march.
The police also issued notices to several social media accounts, including some news portals, over posts allegedly targeting the Prime Minister.