Published Aug 01, 2026 | 12:59 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 01, 2026 | 1:17 PM
Hyderabad Cyber Crime Deputy Commissioner of Police V Aravind Babu.
Hyderabad Cyber Crime Deputy Commissioner of Police V Aravind Babu, who had booked a case against Meta India and some Instagram and Facebook users over alleged objectionable content against PM Narendra Modi following the Jantar Mantar protests, has been shunted out and moved to the DGP office.
The move follows nationwide criticism of the action. Top police officials were reported as saying that the Chief Minister’s office as well as their heads had disapproved of the action.
The Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police had on Wednesday, July 29, registered an FIR against Meta India Head Arun Srinivas and about 20 Instagram and Facebook users over alleged objectionable and morphed content targeting PM Modi.
The FIR was registered based on a complaint from T Sai Kiran Goud, who claimed to be a Social Media Core Committee Member representing the BJP and its workers in Hyderabad.
The FIR copy, accessed by South First, recorded Goud stating that on “29-07-2026 at 2:00 PM while I was surfing on social media I found reels which are objectionable and morphed images. Complaint seeking investigation into Instagram, Facebook accounts allegedly publishing content detrimental to the sovereignty, integrity and public order of India.”
He described the content as derogatory towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi and alleged that it appeared “to promote narratives that may be prejudicial to the sovereignty, integrity and public order of the nation”. He sought an investigation into the posts.
The complaint listed Facebook and Instagram post URLs and noted that “Upon viewing these posts, I found that they contain material which I believe warrants examination by the Cyber Crime Police. If, upon investigation, the content is found to incite hatred or violence, spread misinformation, promote enmity, threaten national security, or otherwise violate applicable provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Information Technology Act, or any other law, I request that appropriate legal action be initiated against the persons responsible.”
“I respectfully request your office to: 1. Preserve the electronic evidence relating to the above-mentioned Instagram and Facebook accounts and posts. 2. Identify the individuals operating these accounts through appropriate legal procedures. 3. Conduct a thorough investigation into whether the content violates any provisions of Indian law. 4. Coordinate with Meta Platforms, Inc. to obtain the necessary account details and preserve relevant digital evidence, if required. 5. Take appropriate legal action if any cognizable offence is found to have been committed.”
Goud also asked the police to take strict action against Meta, “as they are allowing these types of morphed reels in their platform.”
“I…can also provide screenshots or any additional information required for the investigation. I have full faith in the Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police and request your good office to take necessary action in accordance with law to safeguard the interests of the nation and maintain public order,” he had gone on to state.
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