Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have initiated legal proceedings against the head of Meta India and the administrators of several Facebook and Instagram accounts following allegations that objectionable and digitally altered content targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi was circulated during protests linked to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led agitation over the NEET paper leak issue.
The case stems from a complaint filed by T. Saikiran Goud, a BJP Telangana social media coordinator, who alleged that he came across multiple social media posts and short videos on July 29 that contained derogatory material directed at the Prime Minister. According to the complaint, the content was accessed while he was browsing Facebook and Instagram earlier that afternoon.
In his submission to the Cyber Crime Police Station, Goud claimed that the posts were capable of spreading misinformation, provoking hostility, and promoting narratives that could adversely affect public order and national unity. He also alleged that the material had the potential to fuel hatred and deepen social divisions.
To support his complaint, Goud provided investigators with 20 URLs linking to Facebook and Instagram posts and reels that he said warranted examination. He requested that authorities secure the relevant digital evidence, identify those operating the accounts, and seek information from Meta Platforms to determine the identities behind the profiles.
The complaint also called for action against Meta, alleging that the platform had failed to prevent or remove the disputed content despite its presence on Facebook and Instagram.
Acting on the complaint, Assistant Sub-Inspector K. Hari Ram registered a First Information Report (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 officials said the investigation has been assigned to Inspector P. Jayashankar, who will examine the allegations, verify the authenticity of the online content, and determine whether offences under the cited provisions have been committed.
No statement from Meta India regarding the registration of the case was immediately available.
