FIRs filed over protest rumours, Pak handles scanned

Delhi Police has registered four FIRs against social media handles allegedly spreading false narratives and rumours regarding the protests in the Capital, with several Pakistan-based social media handles under the scanner.

Cases have been registered against social media handles allegedly disseminating misleading information, attempting to create an “anti-India narrative” and disturb law and order, they said. According to a police source, several social media handles based in Pakistan are allegedly involved in spreading anti-India narratives in connection with the protests through posts and claims that could create unrest.

On October 10, several such handles allegedly circulated false claims that multiple people died during the Delhi protests, officials said.

Police have got several Pakistan-based social media handles deactivated as part of the action against the alleged “misinformation campaign”, they added.

Delhi Police is monitoring various social media platforms to curb spread of misinformation in the wake of protests in the capital, with around 500 posts allegedly aimed at spreading rumours or creating public unrest taken down, police sources said. On Monday, Delhi Police warned of strict legal action against a social media handle for a post allegedly spreading misinformation about police firing during the INDIA bloc’s rally towards the Supreme Court.

The post in question claimed that Delhi Police had opened fire at the rally, killing five, and urged people to come out on the streets and block Delhi.

In a post on X, Delhi Police said the handle @indiantiwari01 had a documented history of sharing doctored media, old footage and fabricated narratives to mislead the public.

“Do not fall for or amplify this rumour,” police said, adding that spreading malicious rumours on social media was a punishable offence and strict legal action would be initiated against the handle.

The police have also approached social media platform X seeking the removal of objectionable and allegedly misleading content linked to the protests, sources said.

The social media monitoring exercise is aimed at identifying fabricated content, misleading claims and posts that could potentially disturb public order, they added.

Police teams are scanning online platforms, while further action is being taken against content found to be spreading misinformation or attempting to incite unrest, sources said.