The Ludhiana Cyber Crime Police have initiated legal action against ten individuals, including a prominent RTI activist, for their social media activity concerning the use of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's official helicopter. The case, which has sparked allegations of suppressing dissent, revolves around posts made while the CM was on an official overseas tour.
The Core Allegations and Police Action
An FIR was registered at the Ludhiana Cyber Crime police station on December 12, though it came to light recently. The complaint was filed by Inspector Satbir Singh. The accused individuals, which include RTI activist Manik Goyal and social media influencers such as Mintu Gurusaria and Gagan Ramgarhia, allegedly shared content on Facebook that raised questions about who was using the Chief Minister's helicopter during his absence.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was on an official visit to Japan and South Korea from December 1 to 10. During this period, the accused posted visuals of the helicopter in flight and insinuated it was being used for unauthorized purposes. The police have invoked sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including those related to circulating false information (353(1)), spreading rumours to incite enmity (353(2)), and criminal conspiracy (61(2)).
Vaibhav Sehgal, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cybercrime), Ludhiana, stated that the FIR followed a preliminary investigation into the flagged social media posts and that a probe is ongoing.
Police Claims vs. Activist's Counter
The FIR, as per police documents, asserts that the social media posts contained "distorted, unverified and patently incorrect assertions." It claims the narrative was built on an erroneous interpretation of flight-tracking data and selective visuals, creating a misleading and fabricated story about unauthorized helicopter use.
The police further cited a statement from the Punjab Civil Aviation Department, which clarified that the helicopter was used by an individual holding a constitutional office who was duly authorized for its use on the mentioned dates. The FIR warns that such content risks undermining institutional integrity and public order in the border state.
Reacting strongly, Patiala-based activist Manik Goyal called the FIR a "New Year gift" from the Punjab government. He alleged it was a tactic to silence questions. "We have been booked because we simply questioned who was using CM’s official chopper in his absence," Goyal said. He claimed the AAP government has not replied to RTIs about the chopper for four years and is now registering "fake FIRs" to avoid scrutiny. He contrasted this with the party's past advocacy for freedom of speech and the right to dissent.
Broader Implications and Next Steps
This incident highlights the escalating tensions between government transparency and social media commentary in Punjab. The police maintain they are acting against provably false information that could harm social harmony. In contrast, the accused and free speech advocates view it as an overreach intended to chill legitimate questioning of those in power.
The FIR states that the genuineness and accuracy of the content will be thoroughly examined during the investigation. The legal proceedings will now determine whether the social media posts crossed into the realm of criminality or were protected expressions of inquiry. The outcome is likely to set a significant precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future.
