April 30th 2024.
Police in the state of Gujarat, which is currently led by the BJP, have recently taken into custody a member of the Congress party and a member of the Aam Aadmi Party. In addition, the Delhi Police have issued notices to 12 individuals from various opposition parties as their investigation into a doctored video of Union Home Minister Amit Shah's speech expands.
The BJP has been quick to criticize the opposition parties, including the Congress, accusing them of resorting to posting fake videos as a result of their growing frustration and despair over the possibility of the BJP and the NDA winning over 400 seats in the Lok Sabha elections under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
So far, 17 people have been issued notices to appear before the Delhi Police's investigation officer in connection with this case, including Telangana Chief Minister and Congress leader Revanth Reddy. However, sources have stated that Reddy is unlikely to appear in person and may instead send a representative on his behalf.
Reddy and four other members of the Telangana Congress unit were served notices on Monday to appear before the investigation officer on May 1st. They were also asked to bring any electronic devices they may have used to create, upload, or share the video on their social media accounts.
It is worth noting that Reddy has been served notice as the Telangana Congress chief and not as the chief minister. According to sources, when a person is served notice under section 160/91 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, they have the option to either appear in person before the investigation officer or send a legal representative.
As the political drama surrounding this controversy continues to escalate, Shah addressed the issue during a press conference in Guwahati, Assam. He expressed his disappointment with the Congress' actions, stating that their frustration has reached such a level that they have resorted to creating and circulating fake videos on social media. He also urged them to focus on their principles and manifesto rather than spreading false information.
The first arrest in relation to the fake video case was made in BJP-ruled Assam on Monday. The accused, identified as Reetom Singh, is a member of the state Congress and holds the position of "War Room Coordinator," as stated on his social media profile.
The Congress responded to the arrest and notice sent to Reddy by warning of similar action against BJP leaders in Congress-ruled states. Meanwhile, the BJP lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against the Congress, accusing them of spreading a "deep fake and morphed" video of Shah in an attempt to disrupt the election process.
During a "professionals meet" organized as part of the BJP's campaign for the Lok Sabha polls in Karnataka's Shivmogga, BJP president JP Nadda accused opposition parties, including the Congress, of engaging in divisive politics. He specifically mentioned a recent video that was fabricated by the Congress in an attempt to create the false narrative that the BJP is against SCs, STs, and OBCs.
He also highlighted the fact that the video was uploaded from Telangana CM Revanth Reddy's phone and shared by all members of the INDI alliance, further showcasing their desperation and disappointment over the potential success of the BJP and the NDA under PM Modi's leadership.
In response, Congress General Secretary of Communications Jairam Ramesh claimed that the Delhi Police's summons to the Telangana chief minister is a clear indication that free and fair elections are under threat. He questioned whether PM Modi is afraid that the CM will sabotage his party's chances in the elections.
Meanwhile, in Gujarat, Congress leader Satish Vansola and Aam Aadmi Party worker Rakesh Baria were arrested for sharing the doctored video. During a press conference in Ahmedabad, Congress' media department head Pawan Khera asked Shah about the actions taken in the past when numerous fake videos of Rahul Gandhi were shared on social media, including by some cabinet ministers.
On Tuesday, the Delhi Police issued notices to 12 more individuals from opposition parties, who are expected to appear before the investigation officer in the coming days. The Special Cell of the Delhi Police had registered an FIR on Sunday after receiving a complaint from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, which operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs, about the doctored video of Shah's speech.
Sources from the Special Cell have stated that more arrests are likely to follow across the country. The FIR filed by the Delhi Police, also under the Ministry of Home Affairs, includes charges under several sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act. In Jaipur, an FIR was also filed on Monday by the BJP's social media department in connection with the fake video.
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