The Noida Police have registered a case against two unidentified ‘X’ users and other unidentified accounts for allegedly spreading false claims about YouTuber Dhruv Rathee falling into the police dragnet, accusing them of trying to create public panic and disrupt law and order in the district.
The accused were booked under Sections 197 and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 67 of the Information Technology (IT) Act. Sub-inspector Sunil Kumar, who registered the complaint, alleged that several social media account users tried to disrupt peace, as well as the law and order situation through their posts on October 16.
Dhruv Rathee in a still from the protests held in Bengaluru
Viral posts make false claims about YouTuber’s arrest
The first post cited in the FIR claimed that Noida Police had arrested Dhruv Rathee over his videos allegedly disrespecting Hindu deities and encouraging the Army and police to revolt against the government.
It further alleged that a politically influential person was behind the action and claimed that Rathee would regret returning to India. In another post, it had been declared that Rathee was nabbed by Noida Police rather than Delhi police, adding a provocative remark about the Chief Minister (CM) of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath.
Police officials in the know of the case rejected the claims, saying that Rathee had not been arrested by Noida Police. Furthermore, they clarified that no such information had been issued through the department’s official social media accounts.
Subsequently, the police published a fact-checker on October 16, dismissing the reports as unfounded and misleading.
Cops allege attempt to incite panic among public
The FIR reads that the circulation of such content risked generating fear, anger and distrust among the public, potentially uprooting law and order. It was also alleged that the users deliberately propagated provocative and misleading information to influence public opinion against the state administration and disturb public peace.
YouTuber Dhruv Rathee
The cops termed the alleged conduct ‘unlawful,’ citing the use of electronic media to spread rumours, incite people and create panic. The police department then urged citizens to verify information through official channels before sharing it online, warning that unverified claims spread like fire and undermine social harmony.
Meanwhile, the allegations against the ‘X’ users are subject to probe, and their guilt has not been established yet.
Rathee was detained in Gurugram earlier
The controversy shrouding the purported arrest surfaces days after Rathee was detained by Gurugram Police on October 11, ahead of a protest in Delhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. Rathee was, however, released after spending 18 hours in detention, as per the information provided.
He had recently travelled to Delhi to participate in protests against CEC Kumar.