Bengaluru Police have registered First Information Reports (FIRs) against three Instagram account holders on Saturday for allegedly posting offensive and defamatory content targeting Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. The police action has added to the growing debate over the limits of political expression on social media and the use of criminal law in such cases.

A complaint was lodged by a member of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) on July 27, 2026, following which it transformed into an FIR. 

3 Instagram accounts named in complaint

The complaint mentioned that three Instagram accounts, namely, ground.reality_india, raashtravaadhi2, and manvithamanojsamanvi posted the alleged content on their respective handles, inviting police action against them. 

The complainant alleged that the first account uploaded a video on July 16, containing defamatory and sexually explicit remarks directed at Gandhi. The accompanying caption allegedly read, “Why is the Opposition party silent?”

Furthermore, the complaint mentioned that the content was deliberately intended to insult the dignity and reputation of an elected public representative. Moreover, it alleged that the remaining two Instagram accounts also shared similarly offensive and provocative targeting the Congress leader. 

Police have initiated legal proceedings based on the complaint, but more details regarding the specific penal provisions invoked or any action against the account holders have not yet been disclosed. 

Similar case registered over remarks against PM Modi

The Bengaluru case comes against the backdrop of another politically sensitive FIR involving alleged offensive remarks made against Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi. 

A ‘zero FIR’ was recently registered against a Faridabad-based woman for allegedly using profane and obscene language against PM Modi during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protest in the national capital over the NEET UG 2026 paper leak. 

The case was registered in Noida after a 32-year-old advocate attached to the Supreme Court lodged a complaint.

As per reports, the FIR includes charges pertaining to intentional insult, statements conducive to public mischief and defamation. The video purportedly shows the woman using abusive language during the protest and was widely shared on social media after the demonstration was withdrawn. 

CJP questions criminal action

The CJP also slammed the registration of FIRs over the alleged remarks against PM Modi. Party spokesperson Saurav Das said that while the use of abusive language deserved condemnation, invoking the criminal justice system over such remarks raised serious concerns. 

He asked, “Since when has using abusive language become a criminal offence in this country?,” further claiming that many Members of Parliament face criminal charges without comparable actions being taken. 

Meanwhile, the girl named in the Noida FIR has apologised via a video recently, terming the incident her ‘first and last mistake.’