Delhi Police seeks restriction of 11 posts allegedly misrepresenting police action at protest
The Delhi Police has directed a social media platform to remove or restrict access to 11 posts and videos that it alleges give a misleading impression of police action during a recent protest in the national capital. The police said the content could trigger public reaction and affect law and order.
The notices were issued on Monday by the Joint Commissioner of Police, Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (IFSO), under the Information Technology Act, 2000. The platform was asked to remove or disable access to the URLs within three hours of receiving the notice.
The development follows the arrest of a 24-year-old man accused of sharing an AI-generated video that falsely depicted a police officer sexually assaulting a woman.
Police are investigating whether the circulation of the fabricated video was part of a wider conspiracy aimed at damaging the image of the Delhi Police and creating dissatisfaction during protests.
The notice said the 11 posts included videos related to a protest where police personnel had been deployed to maintain law and order and prevent the situation from escalating.
According to the police, some protesters allegedly pushed police personnel, removed or crossed barricades and attempted to move forward despite directions to follow restrictions imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
The police said personnel subsequently intervened and restrained or detained some protesters after they allegedly continued to obstruct or resist them while the officers were carrying out their duties.
However, the videos allegedly showed the police intervention selectively and portrayed it as “misbehaviour or unwarranted use of force”, while leaving out the events that preceded the intervention, the notice said.
The police argued that such a “selective, misleading and contextually incomplete” presentation could create a false impression about the conduct of its personnel, trigger public reaction and weaken confidence in lawful law-and-order measures.
The platform was asked to take down or restrict access to the specified material under the Information Technology Act, 2000. Police also directed it to preserve relevant data, logs and subscriber information for use as evidence.
The notice referred to provisions concerning statements that could cause public mischief, including false information or rumours, as well as defamation.
The action comes as social media content linked to protests faces increased scrutiny, particularly over allegations involving manipulated or misleading material used to influence narratives surrounding police action.
On October 6, police arrested Nadeem Ahmed Ameen from the Mewat region for allegedly sharing the fabricated AI-generated video involving a police personnel.
Investigators are also examining other social media accounts suspected of contributing to a narrative intended to damage the reputation of the Delhi Police. Officials said they are looking into whether the circulation of the material was part of a larger pre-planned conspiracy. (with inputs from PTI)
