NCP (SP) Social Media Chief Arrested for Morphed Image and Pro-Naxal Posts
NCP (SP) social media chief held for morphed CM photo, pro-naxal posts
The Indian Express
Image: The Indian Express
Mahadev Vilas Balgude, 40, the social media chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) in Maharashtra, was arrested for sharing a morphed image of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and pro-Naxalite content. He faces multiple charges under Indian law, including defamation and inciting public unrest.
- 01Mahadev Vilas Balgude arrested for circulating a morphed image of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
- 02Balgude also posted content sympathetic to Naxalites, referencing a top commander of the Communist Party of India (Maoist).
- 03He was arrested by Pimpri-Chinchwad Police and remanded to six days in custody.
- 04The FIR was filed based on a complaint from a Pune advocate after the objectionable posts were noticed.
- 05Charges include defamation, public mischief, and acts prejudicial to the unity of India.
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Mahadev Vilas Balgude, aged 40, was arrested by the Cyber Police Station of Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissionerate for allegedly circulating a morphed image of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and posting content that expressed sympathy for Naxalites. Balgude, who was the social media head of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) in Maharashtra, was taken into custody on Thursday evening and presented in court the following day, where he was remanded to six days of police custody. The complaint leading to his arrest was filed by Basavaraj Mallikarjun Yadwad, an advocate from Pune, after he noticed the objectionable posts on social media between April 3 and April 20. The FIR, registered on April 22, cites multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Information Technology Act, alleging that Balgude intended to tarnish the Chief Minister's image and incited followers to attack him. DCP (Crime) Shivaji Pawar confirmed the arrest and the charges against Balgude.
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This incident highlights the legal risks associated with social media content in India, particularly regarding political figures.
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