By grouping social media offences with cybercrimes and financial frauds, the police can now maintain suspect or history sheets even against people who are not convicted by a court.
Published Sep 25, 2025 | 5:08 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 25, 2025 | 6:34 PM
The Police Department has directed Cybercrime Inspectors to open and maintain suspect or history sheets against those repeatedly accused in social media cases, cybercrimes, and financial fraud.
Synopsis: Critics have slammed the order. They called it a draconian step, unheard of in any other state. Activists and opposition voices alleged that it brought back the “Emergency-style” governance India had witnessed during the Indira Gandhi era. They argued that it is an authoritarian excess meant to suppress dissent, and urged intellectuals, journalists, and civil society to resist the move.
The Telangana Police have equated social media activism with organised crime in a bid to bring it under tough surveillance laws.
In a move seen as an assault on free speech, the Police Department has directed Cybercrime Inspectors to open and maintain suspect or history sheets against those repeatedly accused in social media cases, cybercrimes, and financial fraud. The aim, officials said, is to monitor such individuals and prevent repeat offences.
The Assistant Commissioner of Police (Cyber Crime) issued the directive on 23 September, under file No. 405/OW/ACP-CCPS/HYD/2025. It specifically called for identifying social media activists and keeping their activities under close watch.
Critics have slammed the order. They called it a draconian step, unheard of in any other state. Activists and opposition voices alleged that it brought back the “Emergency-style” governance India had witnessed during the Indira Gandhi era. They argued that it is an authoritarian excess meant to suppress dissent, and urged intellectuals, journalists, and civil society to resist the move.
This order is not isolated. It followed earlier communications from the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) and the Director General of Police (DGP).
On 30 October 2024, the TGCSB issued a circular (ID No. 136/SC-IV/TGCSB/2024) directing police units to open history sheets against identified cyber offenders. These included social media violations, brought under the Police Standing Orders and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
By grouping social media offences with cybercrimes and financial frauds, the police can now maintain sheets even against people who are not convicted by a court. Anyone suspected of being addicted to such acts or linked to organised syndicates can be tracked.
The DGP, in a memorandum dated 5 September 2025 (Rc.No. 335/R1-NS(1)/2025), ordered strict compliance. He pointed out that 69 such history sheets had already been opened across units against cybercriminals, including the Hyderabad City Police, under the TGCSB’s initiative.
Citing Standing Order 600-1 (B & C) of the Telangana Police Manual, the DGP said, “suspects” can include those never convicted but believed to be habitual offenders or part of criminal gangs. Section 111 of the BNS further classifies cybercrimes—including social media offences—as “organised crime.”
This allows surveillance without changing the police manual.
The TGCSB, in a follow-up memo on August 23, 2025 (ID No. 240/SC-IV/TGCSB/2025), justified the move. It argued that monitoring social media offenders fits within the existing framework for keeping tabs on repeat criminals.
Police units must now submit quarterly compliance reports. The proforma sheets will record personal details, aliases, associates, and modus operandi of those marked as suspects.
Senior lawyer Soma Bharat Kumar felt the ruling dispensation was behind the police’s directive.
The curbs being imposed under Section 111 of BNSS apply to those in organised crime and not social media. The Constitution of India protects the right to freedom of speech of all Indian citizens under Article 19, he said.
“It is their fundamental right. It cannot be called organised crime. If one goes by the definition of organised crime, as enunciated by the Supreme Court, social media cannot come under it,” Kumar asserted.
The lawyer said social media is a medium to express oneself. “It is just like mainstream print, electronic, and digital media. It cannot be singled out and treated under organised crime.”
“If one feels aggrieved by social media content, there are provisions in the law. They could go in for defamation. It cannot be treated as a crime, much less organised crime,” he further stated.
“I do not think these measures are contemplated by the police. It is being done at the behest of the present Congress dispensation. The Chief Minister should know that he came to power with the help of social media. Now he wants to control it with strong-arm methods,” Kumar said.
In fact, these days, social media is playing the role of the traditional media. Social media is so powerful that it can bring down governments.
When people are angry, they use the medium to express themselves. “These curbs on social media would not stand legal scrutiny for the simple reason that they are violative of the fundamental rights of Indian citizens,” the lawyer added.
Rights Activist Kodali Srinivas said he does not subscribe to the view that social media activity is organised crime.
“Freedom of expression is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution of India. One can exercise this right only to the extent that it does not cause damage to others,” he said, adding that he is not supporting the curbs, since the IT Act empowers the police to arrest if one’s activity becomes too overbearing or harmful to others.
“These days, political parties have teams of social media warriors. They carry out campaigns. As long as they are healthy, there is no problem. Most often, they are not. They continue campaigns that invite the provisions of the IT Act,” he said.
He then offered a word of caution. “It all depends on how one draws the line—where healthy criticism stops and where it degenerates into abuse. This is where the problem arises. The police always take the side of the ruling party. They would not touch those who post social media content if they belong to the ruling party. But even for plain, harmless criticism from the opposition, they would pounce on them.”
Srinivas said political parties will go to any extent to gag social media. “The political parties should come of age. If there is no action, there would be no reaction. Since social media is a powerful tool in influencing people, the political parties in power go to great lengths to gag it.”
Restrictions would become a tool for harassment, too, he said. “The police also know that some content may not attract punishment in court. But they keep arresting those who post anything against the government, making them suffer through repeated visits to police stations for questioning or detention until the judiciary steps in and takes corrective action.”
“It is difficult for any party to control social media. Society and political parties should evolve to ensure that freedom does not come without restraints. I am not a supporter of curbs, and at the same time, I want those on social media to honour the laws of the land,” he added.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
