Chandigarh: The Punjab Police cybercrime unit has registered a case against 35 social media accounts linked to Punjab and Canada over alleged online posts targeting Mohali-based GB Realty Group. According to a report published by The Tribune on October 16, the accounts include those associated with Punjabi and Canadian journalists as well as immigration consultants.
The case concerns content allegedly circulated on platforms such as YouTube, Instagram and Facebook. The complainant has claimed that posts, videos and comments spread unverified information about the company and its managing director, linking the group to alleged fraud in Canada. These claims form part of the complaint and have not been independently established.
When Was The FIR Registered?
According to The Tribune, FIR No. 29 was registered on October 13, 2026, at the Cyber Crime Police Station in Sector 79, SAS Nagar, Mohali. The report states that the case invokes Section 356(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 66 of the Information Technology Act.
The complaint was filed by advocate Paras Sharma, who said he was representing GB Realty Group. The company is involved in real estate projects in Punjab, including in Mohali and New Chandigarh, and is also associated with educational institutions.
The complainant alleged that online content had damaged the group’s reputation by spreading what he described as false and baseless claims. A list of URLs linked to the posts and videos was reportedly submitted as part of the complaint.
The complaint also sought the removal or blocking of the identified content and accounts.
What Is The Connection With Canada?
The case comes amid scrutiny in Ontario over student financial assistance provided to private career colleges. According to The Tribune, the Ontario government referred the matter to the Ontario Provincial Police after a preliminary audit identified potential irregularities in the funding programme.
Ontario’s review reportedly raised concerns about common ownership structures, links between private career colleges and immigration recruitment services, student verification procedures and concentrations of applications from particular geographical areas.
The report stated that seven career colleges received approximately US$385 million in student assistance grants during the 2024-25 academic year.
However, the existence of the Ontario review does not, by itself, establish wrongdoing by any particular company or individual. The allegations in the Punjab FIR and the issues identified in Ontario’s funding review should be assessed separately on the basis of evidence and the findings of the relevant authorities.
Why Has The Case Drawn Attention?
The inclusion of accounts associated with journalists has brought questions about online allegations, defamation and press freedom into focus. The case also raises questions about how authorities distinguish between potentially defamatory content and reporting or commentary on matters of public interest.
An FIR marks the registration of a case and does not establish the guilt of the people associated with the accounts. The allegations made by the complainant remain subject to investigation and any subsequent legal proceedings.
The reported case also involves requests to remove or block online content, an issue that can intersect with freedom of expression and the responsibilities of social media users and platforms.
As reported by The Tribune, the FIR identifies 35 social media accounts. Further details about the investigation, including the responses of those named and any subsequent police action, were not available in the report.
The case is likely to draw further attention as the investigation progresses and more information becomes available about the allegations, the accounts involved and the action sought by the complainant.
