Hyderabad (Rajeev Sharma): The Cyber Crime Wing of Hyderabad Police has registered a criminal case against the India head of Meta Platforms and the operators of several Facebook and Instagram accounts over allegations that objectionable and manipulated content targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi was circulated on social media during protests linked to the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) agitation over the NEET paper leak.
The FIR was registered following a complaint submitted by T. Saikiran Goud, a member of the BJP Telangana social media team. According to the complaint, Goud noticed multiple reels and posts on Facebook and Instagram on July 29 that he alleged contained derogatory material directed at the Prime Minister.
The complainant stated that he came across the content while browsing social media during the afternoon and believed the posts were capable of spreading misinformation and creating hostility. He further alleged that the material could encourage hatred, disturb communal harmony, and adversely affect national interests.
As part of the complaint, Goud furnished police with 20 social media links, including Facebook and Instagram posts and reels, seeking a detailed investigation into their origin. He urged investigators to preserve the digital evidence, identify those responsible for operating the accounts, and obtain relevant account information from Meta Platforms.
The complaint also sought legal action against Meta, alleging that the company allowed the disputed content to remain accessible on its platforms.
Based on the allegations, Assistant Sub-Inspector K. Hari Ram of the Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police Station registered an FIR under Sections 66(C) and 67 of the Information Technology Act, along with Sections 353(2) and 336(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Police have transferred the investigation to Inspector P. Jayashankar, who will examine the complaint, verify the digital material cited in the FIR, and take further action in accordance with the findings of the investigation.
Meta India had not issued a public response to the registration of the case at the time this report was prepared.
