Delhi Police Registers FIR Following FSSAI Complaint on Social Media Campaign
In a significant development, Delhi Police has officially filed a First Information Report (FIR) in response to a formal complaint lodged by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The complaint alleges that certain social media influencers, potentially in collusion with insiders, disseminated content designed to "create distrust and harm the organisation's reputation." This action underscores growing concerns over digital defamation and unauthorized information leaks.
Police Seek Account Details from X Platform
As part of the investigation, Delhi Police has dispatched a formal request to the social media platform X, seeking comprehensive details about specific user handles implicated in the case. The information demanded includes:
- Registration details such as mobile numbers and email addresses
- IP addresses and port information for all active sessions since account creation
- Recovery mobile numbers and email IDs associated with the accounts
This move aims to trace the origins of the alleged malicious posts and identify the individuals behind them. Notably, there has been no immediate response from FSSAI regarding the ongoing probe.
Allegations of Document Tampering and Unauthorized Access
The complaint, filed on March 12 by an FSSAI representative, centers on the circulation of posts and purported official documents across social media platforms. According to police sources, the complainant asserted that influencers and unknown parties shared content with the explicit intent to damage the organisation's credibility. An officer involved stated, "It was also claimed that some documents may have been accessed without authorisation and tampered with."
Further allegations indicate that multiple X handles published posts with malicious motives to defame FSSAI and tarnish its societal reputation, potentially inciting public chaos. The complainant emphasized, "Some of the details were also stolen from certain places, which were supposed to be highly confidential." This raises serious questions about data security and internal breaches within the organization.
Public Backlash and Legal Framework
In reaction to the police action, many users on X have expressed solidarity with the influencers, condemning the measures as an overreach of authority. Despite this public outcry, authorities are proceeding with legal protocols. The case has been registered under Section 316 (criminal breach of trust) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 72 of the Information Technology Act at the IP Estate police station.
An officer elaborated on the investigative steps, noting, "Digital evidence is being preserved, and notices have been issued to social media platforms, including X, to obtain details of the accounts involved. The authenticity of the documents and the role of all parties are under examination." This thorough approach highlights the complexity of cyber-related offenses and the need for robust digital forensics.
The incident sheds light on the escalating tensions between regulatory bodies and social media influencers, emphasizing the legal ramifications of online defamation and data breaches. As the investigation unfolds, it will be crucial to monitor how digital evidence is handled and the outcomes for those implicated.
