In the state of Chhattisgarh, the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) filed a complaint against BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh in Raipur Police station. The Raipur Police asked Sambit Patra to remain at his residence to appear before it in person or through video conferencing at 4 p.m. on Sunday.
FIR against BJP leader Raman Singh and Sambit Patra was filed on complaints of Akash Sharma the chief of Congress’ student wing National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) in the state. The complaint alleged Raman Singh and Sambit Patra for tweeting manipulated toolkits using the letterhead of Congress.
After an internal probe by Twitter, it is concluded that the toolkit is manipulated and forged. The toolkit document was assumed to be prepared by Congress to malign Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Central and state governments. It directs Congress leaders and workers to sideline Modi and the government on Covid 19 management Kumbh Mela, and other issues. Several independent researchers and tech experts, after analyzing the document and file data, have reached the conclusion that the document is, prima facie, forged.
FIR filed against BJP leaders in toolkit issue for spreading enmity and fake news through social media was registered under IPC sections 469 (forgery for purpose of harming reputation), 504 and 505(1)(b).
The Congress-led government in the state of Chattisgarh faced allegations from senior BJP officials in the state. The Congress party accused BJP of defaming it using manipulated and forged documents.
The FIR was filed on May 19. Raman Singh was also given the notice to remain in his residence at 12:30 pm on Monday.
Sambit Patra tweeted; Friends look at the #CongressToolKit in extending help to the needy during the Pandemic! More of a PR exercise with the help of ‘Friendly Journalists’ & ‘Influencers’ than a soulful endeavor. Read yourselves the agenda of the Congress: #CongressToolKitExposed.”
In today’s day and age technology and the use of social media have become a common point to serve truth or forge and spread fake news. The policies of Twitter do not encourage manipulated media to deceptively mislead the masses. Government must ensure that justice and the hidden truth behind the documents must prevail.