FIR registered against BJP IT Cell Chief Amit Malviya and journalist Arnab Goswami over alleged disinformation campaign
Bengaluru, May 21: In a significant legal development, the Bengaluru police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) IT Cell Chief Amit Malviya and Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami for allegedly disseminating false and inflammatory information aimed at misleading the public and inciting unrest.
The FIR was filed at the High Grounds Police Station on Tuesday following a formal complaint lodged by Shrikant Swaroop B.N., head of the Legal Cell of the Indian Youth Congress. The complaint invokes Sections 192 and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which pertain to “wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause a riot” and “intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace,” respectively.
According to the complaint, Malviya and Goswami are accused of orchestrating a “deliberate and criminally motivated campaign” to circulate false information on social media and television platforms. The core of the complaint centers around a fabricated claim that the Istanbul Congress Centre in Türkiye was being falsely portrayed as the overseas office of the Indian National Congress (INC).
Shrikant Swaroop, in his complaint, asserted that this was not an isolated case of misinformation but part of a broader, malicious attempt to mislead the Indian public, malign a major national political party, and manipulate public sentiment for political gains. He emphasized that the accused individuals acted with full knowledge and intent, aiming to incite nationalist outrage, damage democratic institutions, provoke public unrest, and jeopardize national harmony.
“This deliberate spread of disinformation is not only defamatory but dangerous in the current geopolitical context, particularly given the already strained diplomatic relations between India and Turkey, fueled by Turkey’s perceived closeness to Pakistan,” Swaroop noted.
He further stated that such actions go beyond mere journalistic misconduct or political propaganda. “The actions of Amit Malviya and Arnab Goswami constitute an unprecedented and dangerous attack on the foundations of Indian democracy, public order, and national security. Their misuse of media influence and political power to knowingly spread falsehoods with intent to divide and deceive demands urgent and severe legal intervention,” he added.
In light of the seriousness of the allegations, the complainant has also called upon various national institutions and agencies, including the Press Council of India, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and other relevant law enforcement bodies to take immediate cognizance of the matter. He has urged them to treat the issue as a matter of national emergency and initiate independent inquiries and appropriate action to safeguard the country’s democratic integrity.
The Bengaluru police have confirmed receipt of the complaint and registration of the FIR, and stated that the matter will be investigated thoroughly in accordance with legal procedures. Further developments are awaited as the case progresses.
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