"Handle registered in Pakistan": Delhi Police probe fake social media posts inciting chaos during protest
Delhi Police IFSO unit traces a suspicious social media handle to Pakistan used to spread false claims of police firing during recent protests.
The Delhi Police’s Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit has uncovered a sophisticated attempt to incite chaos through social media, tracing at least one suspicious account back to Pakistan. This discovery comes as authorities investigate a wave of inflammatory content and rumors circulated during recent protests in the national capital.
Foreign Handles Attempting to Provoke Anarchy
According to police authorities, foreign-based social media handles were actively working to provoke public disorder. These accounts circulated false claims regarding police actions against demonstrators, aiming to create a volatile atmosphere on the ground.
Additional Commissioner of Police (Addl. CP) Sanjay Bhatia emphasized that the Delhi Police maintains a dedicated cyber patrolling team. This team is tasked with monitoring social media posts to verify their authenticity and ensure compliance with legal standards.
"If we find a post to be factually incorrect, false, a rumor, a threat to public order, defamatory, or likely to incite anarchy, we take action in accordance with the law," Bhatia stated.
The Pakistan Connection Uncovered
One of the most alarming revelations from the investigation involves a specific handle that was used to spread panic. The account allegedly posted false information claiming that police were opening fire on demonstrators.
Upon investigating the digital footprint, the police discovered a direct link to the neighboring country. "We found a post intended to incite chaos; the handle registered in Pakistan... It was a deliberate attempt to whip up a volatile atmosphere based on falsehoods," Bhatia revealed. Following the discovery, the police requested the immediate removal of the post and have registered a formal case.
Arrests Made Against CJP Activists
In a separate but related development, Delhi Police have arrested three activists from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The arrests were made following allegations that the individuals were repeatedly attempting to disturb public peace and instigate unlawful activities via social media.
The details of the legal actions taken against the activists include:
- Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka: Remanded to five days of judicial custody.
- Ajinkya Shinde: Bound down for six months to maintain peace and good behavior.
Clashes at Jantar Mantar
The police action stems from an incident on the morning of October 13. Authorities claim that the three activists, along with 11 other CJP members, attempted to enter the denotified Jantar Mantar protest site through private premises. When police personnel intervened to stop them, the protesters allegedly obstructed officers from performing their official duties.
In response to the arrests, the CJP has maintained its stance. The group reiterated that its demand for the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar remains unchanged and stated it will continue to challenge the denotification of Jantar Mantar, asserting its right to peaceful democratic action and electoral accountability.