The Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the India head of Meta along with operators of several Facebook and Instagram accounts over the alleged circulation of morphed and objectionable posts targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The action comes amid heightened tensions surrounding the nationwide protests linked to the alleged NEET paper leak and demonstrations led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
According to officials, the FIR was filed following complaints alleging that manipulated images, edited videos and digitally altered content insulting the Prime Minister were widely shared on social media platforms during the protests. Police have initiated an investigation into the origin of the posts, the accounts responsible for uploading them, and the role of the platform in handling the reported content.
Complaints Allege Spread of Morphed and Objectionable Content
Investigators said that the complaints claimed several Facebook and Instagram accounts circulated fabricated visuals portraying the Prime Minister in an objectionable manner. Authorities are examining whether the content violated provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Information Technology Act and other applicable laws.
Police are also looking into whether the posts were created as part of a coordinated campaign or were independently shared by multiple users. Cyber forensic experts have reportedly begun analysing digital evidence, including the origin, timing and distribution of the content across social media platforms.
Meta India Head Included in Investigation
The inclusion of Meta India’s top executive in the FIR has drawn attention because it extends the investigation beyond individual account holders. Officials have indicated that the inquiry seeks to determine whether there was any failure in responding to complaints or removing allegedly unlawful content after it was reported.
At this stage, the registration of an FIR marks the beginning of a criminal investigation and does not amount to a finding of guilt. Authorities are expected to examine the platform’s internal processes, moderation practices and response mechanisms before deciding on any further legal action.
Probe Linked to CJP-Led NEET Protest Controversy
The disputed posts reportedly surfaced during protests connected to the alleged NEET paper leak. Demonstrations organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) attracted significant public attention both on the ground and across social media, where supporters and critics exchanged political content, memes and commentary.
Police believe some of the viral posts crossed legal boundaries by using manipulated images and videos of the Prime Minister. Investigators are examining whether these posts were intended to mislead users or damage the reputation of public authorities.
Investigation to Focus on Digital Evidence
Cyber Crime officials are expected to rely heavily on digital forensic analysis during the investigation. This includes verifying the authenticity of images and videos, tracing IP addresses, identifying account administrators and collecting metadata related to uploads.
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Investigators may also seek information from Meta regarding account ownership, content moderation history and compliance with lawful requests. Such information could help determine how the disputed content spread and whether it remained online after complaints were submitted.
Growing Scrutiny of Social Media Platforms
The latest FIR comes at a time when social media platforms are facing increasing scrutiny over the moderation of political content in India. Authorities have repeatedly stressed the responsibility of digital platforms to respond promptly to complaints involving manipulated media, misinformation and unlawful content.
The development also follows the Centre’s recent decision to summon senior Meta executives after a Facebook post by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was briefly restricted on the platform. The government sought both technical and policy-level explanations regarding that incident, while Meta expressed regret and agreed to engage with officials.
Investigation Continues
The Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have not announced any arrests in connection with the FIR so far. Officials stated that the investigation remains at an initial stage and that all relevant evidence will be examined before further action is taken.
Authorities are expected to question individuals linked to the social media accounts under investigation and gather additional digital records. As the probe progresses, investigators will determine whether criminal charges can be substantiated based on the evidence collected.
The case has once again highlighted the challenges posed by manipulated digital content and the growing importance of effective content moderation, cyber investigations and legal accountability in the age of social media.
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