Bahraich police have initiated a cyber investigation and registered a case under the Information Technology (IT) Act following the creation of a fraudulent social media profile. The fake account allegedly used Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photograph, BJP party symbols, images of senior party leaders, and Hindu religious icons to misrepresent a woman as a BJP office-bearer and election candidate. BJP leaders have condemned the act, asserting that the profile was designed to disseminate false information and tarnish the party's image.
Controversial Posters Circulation
The issue came to light after objectionable posters were circulated on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) via a profile named "Rukhsana Bahraich" (Rukhsana Khatoon). According to police sources, the account shared two controversial posters in quick succession. One poster used the BJP district office building in Bahraich as its background and falsely identified Rukhsana Khatoon as the "office head" of the district unit. Another poster portrayed her as an official BJP candidate for an upcoming election and displayed the party's election symbol.
BJP's Allegations and Clarification
The BJP also alleged that the profile misused images of Hindu deities, religious symbols, and photographs of senior party leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Party leaders claimed that such content could create political and communal confusion among the public and party workers. Following the viral spread of the posters, BJP district president Brijesh Pandey issued a clarification, stating that no woman named Rukhsana Khatoon is associated with the party and that she has no connection with the BJP district office. He further emphasized that the party had neither appointed any office-bearer by that name nor declared her as a candidate.
Formal Complaint and Police Action
Acting on instructions from the district president, BJP district media in-charge Shivankar Shukla lodged a formal complaint with Bahraich Police. The complaint alleged that the fake profile was part of a deliberate attempt to damage the party's reputation and spread misinformation. Based on the complaint, police registered an FIR against the unidentified operator of the social media account under relevant provisions of the IT Act and cybercrime laws. The cyber cell and technical investigation team have launched a probe and are examining digital footprints linked to the profile to identify the perpetrator.
Police officials confirmed that efforts are underway to trace the account creator and that appropriate legal action will be taken once the accused is identified.
