Police cases against 3 social media platforms in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, Feb 27 (IANS) Hyderabad police have registered a criminal case against social media platforms Twitter, WhatsApp and TikTok on charges of facilitating the spread of hatred and anti-national content.

The Cyber Crime Police Station registered the case following the direction by a city court on a petition filed by a city-based journalist.

The case against the social media platforms was registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code including for promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony), conspiracy to wage, or attempt to wage war, or abetting waging of war against Indian government), obscene acts and songs in public, statements conducing to public mischief) and criminal conspiracy.

Silveri Srishailam, who had filed a petition in a Nampally court seeking action against the three social media apps, claimed that more than 1,200 groups were created after the protests against CAA, NRC and NPR began in the country and were spreading the anti-national content. He even claimed that some Pakistanis were members in these groups.

He made Twitter Communications India Limited and its India managing director Manish Maheswari, WhatsApp Inc and its India head Abhijit Bose and Tik Tok and its head Nikhil Gandhi as the respondents in the case.

Though the FIR was registered on February 18, the issue came to light on Thursday.

A police officer said notices would be issued to the respondents calling for their comments.

This is believed to be the first case against the leading social media platforms for facilitating spread of hatred and anti-national content.

The petitioner also sought ban on 42 Apps, which he claimed were working against India.