MP social media influencer booked over abusive reel against ex-minister Pradhan

A social media influencer in Madhya Pradesh's Niwari district has landed in soup for allegedly posting an objectionable video on Instagram using abusive language against former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Police have registered a first information report (FIR) under sections 296(a) (obscene act in any public place to the annoyance of others) and 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) following a complaint lodged by a local BJP leader, an official said.

Talking to PTI, Niwari Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDOP) K K Pandey said BJP leader Kamlesh Chaurasia, in his complaint, alleged that Yashpal Soni, a social media influencer, uploaded a video on Instagram in which he used abusive language against Pradhan and the Delhi police, he said.

The complainant demanded strict action against Soni, Pandey said, adding that a probe is underway in the case.

Several memes and posts targeting the government surfaced on social media over the last few weeks amid the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led nationwide protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and the Delhi police's crackdown against protesters.

Pradhan resigned as Union Education Minister on Saturday following weeks of agitations.