FIRs after analysis of social media; Notices to companies for details shortly, says Delhi Police

Two first information reports the Delhi Police filed late Wednesday against former BJP spokespersons Nupur Sharma, Naveen Kumar Jindal, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, Yati Narsinghanand and a few more were after an analysis of social media, officials said on Thursday. The messages posted and shared by the accused on social media ‘violated laws for maintenance of public tranquility and incited people on divisive lines,’ the FIRs said.

Cases were registered under sections 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 295 (injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult religion of any class), 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) of the Indian Penal Code, officials said.

One case has been registered against Sharma and another against multiple social media entities, including Owaisi, Jindal, Narsinghanand, Shadab Chauhan, Saba Naqvi, Maulana Mufti Nadeem, Abdur Rehman and Gulzar Ansari, based on the analysis. Notices will be sent to social media intermediaries for details, said another official.

“We have registered 2 FIRs under appropriate sections on the basis of social media analysis against those trying to disrupt public tranquility and inciting people on divisive lines. One pertains to Ms Nupur Sharma and other against multiple social media entities,” Delhi Police said in a tweet.

“Even as notices are being sent to social media intermediaries for details of those behind these accounts/entities, DelhiPolice appeals to everyone to desist from posting anything that may disrupt social and communal harmony,” it said. After Owaisi’s name was included in the FIR, he lashed out: “Delhi Police is suffering from both sides or balance-waad syndrome. One side has openly insulted our prophet while the other side has been named to assuage BJP supporters and make it look like there was hate speech on both sides,” he alleged.

“In my case, the FIR isn’t even mentioned as offensive,” Owaisi said. Posts/remarks by party spokespersons are being equated to random posts on social media with no social or political standing. As for the FIR against me, we will consult our lawyers and address it when required. We will not be intimidated by these tactics. Criticising hate speech and giving hate speeches cannot be equated,” Owaisi said.

The FIR was filed by the Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operation unit of Delhi Police’s special cell against people for, “inciting various groups and creating situations that are detrimental to the maintenance of public tranquility.”



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