The Wire has filed a complaint against its researcher, Devesh Kumar, at the Economic Offences Wing of Delhi Police, a day after the Delhi Police registered an FIR against its founder and editors in connection with the Meta stories. The stories, subsequently retracted, had reported that BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya used his special privileges at social media giant Meta to take down over 700 posts.

According to the officer, the complaint was sent via e-mail to the Special Commissioner of Police (Crime) on Saturday against Kumar alleging fabrication and forgery by Kumar in the portal’s recent Meta stories.  “We are looking into the matter. No FIR is lodged so far in the matter,” police said.

In his complaint, the Wire has alleged that Kumar has a "malintent" towards The Wire, its editors, and staff and has "fabricated and supplied documents, e-mails and other material such as videos with a view to damage its reputation. He has done so either on his own or at the behest of other unknown persons". The complaint has also claimed that according to a review by The Wire, Kumar had "supplied fabricated material, including the documents and e-mails and videos from Instagram and Meta".

Earlier on Saturday, the Delhi Police had filed an FIR against 'The Wire' and its editors based on a complaint by Malviya, who accused it of "cheating and forgery" and "tarnishing" his reputation. "A case has been filed. Investigation will be initiated and necessary action will be taken," the officer said.

Malviya had on Friday said he will pursue criminal and civil proceedings against the portal over stories, since retracted, which insinuated that he enjoyed a special privilege on Meta platforms through which he could get any story taken down if he believed it was against the BJP's interests.

The complaint was filed for various offences punishable under sections 420 (cheating), 468 and 469 (forgery), 471 (fraud), 500 (defamation) r/w 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 34 (criminal act) of the Indian Penal Code.

Though 'The Wire' has apologised to its readers and withdrawn the stories, the BJP leader had noted that the news portal did not offer him an apology despite "maligning and tarnishing my reputation and causing serious harm to my professional career".