Maharashtra Cyber Cell asked to crack whip on social media users posting objectionable videos, messages

New Delhi: In a bid to curb the spread of rumours and misinformation on social media, Maharashtra Cyber has decided to crack the whip on offenders. The state's cyber wing would now serve notices under section 149 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) against such culprits, said an official statement.

Maharashtra's Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Wednesday (May 20) directed the Special Inspector General of Police, Cyber ​​Cell, to take strict action against cybercriminals. The Home Minister stated that women's safety would be given the top priority.

The state's cyber cell is now keeping a close watch on controversial videos on Tiktok, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms. The cell has till May 1 registered at least 400 offences at various police stations across the state amid the COVID-19 lockdown.

After ​​analysing such crimes, as many as 170 cases have been registered for forwarding offensive WhatsApp messages, 158 for sharing abusive Facebook posts, 18 for sharing Tik-Tok videos and 7 for objectionable tweets, while 4 cases have been registered for wrong postings on Instagram.

A total of 43 cases of misuse of other social media (audio clip, YouTube) have also been registered besides arresting 213 offenders. Of these, 102 objectionable posts have been removed. Since the COVID-19 lockdown has imposed, the rise in a number of cybercrimes has been witnessed. 

These crimes include making Tik-Tok videos, posting various provocative posts on social media, posting religious messages related to Coronavirus, spreading misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic, taking names of Coronavirus victims besides posting false posters to defame political leaders.

Offences like slander, personal attack, online financial fraud are included in cybercrimes. The alleged offender will be prosecuted under the Indian Penal Code 1860, Information Technology Act 2008, besides other laws. To prevent such crimes, strict action will be taken under Section 149 of the Criminal Procedure Code 1973 by sending them individual notices. 

Warning the companies running Tik-Tok, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms in India, Anil Deshmukh has asked them to immediately remove misleading and socially divisive content from their platforms.

Earlier, TikTok sensation Faizal Siddiqui's account was banned after he came under the scanner for "glorifying" acid attack in a video. Faizal, who had a 13 million-plus following on the video-sharing application, posted a clip in which he is seen throwing a liquid on a girl's face for betraying him. Later the girl is seen in the clip with grotesque make-up, suggesting a disfigured face.

The way Faizal made a video on Tik-Tok throwing acid at a girl, some boys also posted a video on Tik-Tok glorifying rape. People have sought tough action against such people besides demanding action against social media for allowing such videos on their platforms.