Defamation FIR lodged over social media posts on UP minister's convoy size in Bhadohi

A case has been registered against unidentified individuals for spreading false information on social media about Uttar Pradesh Minister A K Sharma's convoy size during a recent visit to Bhadohi district.

Police have registered a case here against unidentified persons for allegedly spreading misleading information on social media, claiming that state minister A K Sharma's convoy had 27 vehicles during his recent visit to Bhadohi district, officials said on Wednesday.

According to police, the case was registered at the Gyanpur Kotwali police station on Tuesday under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act on the complaint of area Lekhpal (revenue official) Harikesh.

The FIR has been lodged under BNS Section 356 (defamation) and provisions of the IT Act, they said.

SP Abhinav Tyagi said the posts, circulated on various social media platforms under the title ''Baat Khari Hai'' (It's true), claimed that the Uttar Pradesh energy and urban development minister, who is also the Bhadohi district in-charge minister, was travelling with a convoy of 27 vehicles.

Tyagi said Sharma visited Bhadohi on May 15 after the storm and rain-related incidents in the district that claimed 16 lives here and left several others injured.

During the visit, the minister reviewed the damage caused by the storm and handed over compensation cheques to the families of the deceased at the revenue guest house, the SP said.

He added that the minister was accompanied by only three vehicles during the visit.

Police alleged that the viral social media posts were intended to tarnish the image of the government and administration and mislead the public.

Tyagi said SHO Anjani Kumar Rai has been directed to conduct a detailed investigation into the matter.

The minister's visit came at a time when several politicians and bureaucrats have adopted fuel-saving measures in line with the appeal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to cut down the use of petrol and diesel, among other expenses, for which the country depends on foreign imports. The appeal came in view of ongoing conflicts in West Asia and other parts of the world.