Case Filed Against Meta India Head Over Alleged Offensive Posts Targeting PM Modi During CJP Protest

Hyderabad: Hyderabad Cybercrime Police have registered cases against Meta India head Arun Srinivas and several Facebook and Instagram accounts over the alleged circulation of morphed, AI-generated, and objectionable content targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the recent Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests.

The cases were filed after two complainants alleged that they found multiple digitally manipulated videos, images, and posts on Instagram portraying the Prime Minister in an obscene, derogatory, and misleading manner. According to the complaints, several comments accompanying the posts contained abusive language and ridicule directed at the Prime Minister and others featured in the content.

The complainants stated that the alleged AI-generated and digitally altered posts had the potential to spread misinformation, disturb public order, incite hostility, and damage the dignity of public figures. They further argued that such content could violate various provisions of Indian law.

The complaints were filed by S. Aravind Reddy, a Hyderabad-based businessman, and T. Saikiran Goud, a BJP activist from Telangana.

The development comes amid increased scrutiny of social media content shared during the nationwide student protests over the alleged NEET paper leak. Authorities have been examining several posts and comments that allegedly contained abusive or offensive language.

Earlier this week, Meta also faced criticism after a video posted from Prime Minister Modi's official account was briefly blocked on Facebook. Following discussions with the government, the company reportedly assured authorities that it would introduce stricter safeguards for posts from the Prime Minister's account. According to sources, future moderation decisions involving prominent government accounts will undergo additional review by senior Meta officials before any action is taken.

Separately, Delhi Police had also issued notices to multiple social media platforms and several social media accounts, including some news portals, directing them to remove allegedly offensive posts and videos targeting the Prime Minister during the Jantar Mantar protests and the July 20 "Sansad Chalo" march.

The investigation into the Hyderabad case is currently underway, and authorities are examining the origin and circulation of the disputed content.