Authorities in Dehradun have initiated an inquiry into a fabricated video involving Union Home Minister Amit Shah that is circulating on social media. The aim is purportedly to incite animosity between communities and influence the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, as stated by an official.
‘Urban Pahadi’
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dehradun Ajay Singh stated that a social media handle named Urban Pahadi is accountable for disseminating the misleading video. It is believed that the distorted facts in the clip are intended to sow discord among different groups and gain an electoral advantage.
Upon the discovery of the video, the SSP alerted the district’s social media monitoring and cyber cell teams to identify and take action against the operator of the Urban Pahadi account.
During preliminary investigations, the Cyber Cell Dehradun concluded that the misleading content had spread widely, prompting a formal complaint at Kotwali Nagar by Inspector Manoj Mainwal, the Cyber Cell’s in-charge.
Consequently, a case has been registered against the operator of the Urban Pahadi social media account under crime number 221/24, invoking sections 66C and 66D of the Information Technology Act, as well as sections 153A, 171F, 469, 505, and 505(2) of the Indian Penal Code. These charges pertain to identity theft, impersonation, promoting enmity between groups, and disrupting electoral processes.
Delhi Police
Earlier on Wednesday, Delhi Police expressed dissatisfaction with Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s response regarding the fake video case involving Amit Shah.
On May 2, a response was submitted by CM Telangana through his counsel. Advocate Soumya Gupta stated that they received a notice under CrPC 91 inquiring about the source of the video.
“Our brief response was that it was not his account, and the Twitter handle which he manages has been provided to them. Furthermore, it has been clarified in the response that the video was neither tweeted nor retweeted by the CM who manages the Twitter handle,” she added.
According to Delhi Police sources, the investigation remains unsatisfied with CM Telangana’s reply.
Sources indicated that if the video was tweeted from the Twitter handle of INC Telangana, then the State President is also accountable. Presently, his lawyer is at the Delhi Police IFSO Unit. Sources further added that another notice may be issued to the CM soon. Additionally, if Delhi Police remains dissatisfied with CM Revanth Reddy’s future responses, strict action will be taken.
According to Delhi Police sources, the IFSO unit team of Delhi Police is also technically investigating the matter. Delhi Police aims to identify the individual who edited Amit Shah’s video and initiated its viral spread. The investigation conducted thus far has uncovered some leads indicating where the video began to spread, but work on those leads is ongoing.
Moreover, Delhi Police is receiving continuous responses from other individuals to whom notices were sent. Notices were dispatched to 20 to 25 people, and their responses are being received by the police. Further investigation is in progress. As per Delhi police sources, the Delhi Police team is currently in Telangana, awaiting orders from the national capital for further action.
