Social media influencer Ajeet Bharti booked for allegedly making false comments about Rahul Gandhi. The FIR lodged at the High Grounds police station following a complaint from BK Bopanna, a lawyer and secretary of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee’s legal cell. Bopanna’s complaint accuses Bharti of spreading misinformation.
Bengaluru: The Bengaluru police registered a case against social media influencer Ajeet Bharti. The complaint filed by BK Bopanna, a lawyer and secretary of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee’s legal cell, at the High Grounds police station.
In the complaint, Bopanna alleged that Bharti made false claims in a video, stating that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi intended to restore the Babri Masjid in place of the Ram Mandir during his speeches. The police have booked Bharti for “spreading enmity between religious groups through false claims.”
The case highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding the Babri Masjid and Ram Mandir dispute, with political parties and influential individuals making claims and counter-claims on the issue. The authorities stepped in to address the allegations of spreading misinformation and inciting religious tensions.
Bopanna’s complaint highlighted a video shared by Bharati on X (formerly Twitter), in which Bharati falsely claimed that Rahul Gandhi, in his speeches, aimed to restore the Babri Masjid in place of the Ram Mandir.
Bopanna clarified,
“Rahul Gandhi has never made such statements in any of his speeches.”
He accused Bharati of spreading misinformation to “incite enmity between religious groups. ”
Bopanna stated to the police,
“Bharati’s remarks are clearly intended to disrupt public order and provoke individuals. He is actively undermining social harmony by sowing discord and hatred among religious communities,”
Following the complaint filed, the police have registered an FIR (First Information Report) under sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth or residence) and 505(2) (statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes) of the Indian Penal Code.
An investigating officer stated that they have launched a probe into the matter and will initiate action against the individual in question after verifying the video evidence and gathering additional details.
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Bopanna’s complaint suggests that Bharti’s speech has the potential to disrupt public order and social harmony, leading Bopanna to call for strong legal action against the YouTuber.
Bharti, has a substantial online presence, with over 556,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel. The channel’s description portrays him as a known name in Indian alternative media. Many of his recent videos have garnered over 200,000 views. Additionally, on the social media platform X, Bharti presents himself as a journalist and author.