New Delhi: A significant cyber impersonation case has emerged involving a prominent political figure from the capital. An FIR was officially registered on Thursday following a formal police complaint lodged by North East Delhi Member of Parliament, Manoj Tiwari. The Bharatiya Janata Party leader alleged that an unidentified individual or group had created and was actively operating a fraudulent Facebook account using his personal identity, photographs, and video content.
Misuse of Identity for Spreading False Information
The complaint detailed that this fake profile was being utilized to disseminate misleading and factually incorrect content across social media platforms and within society at large. According to the FIR documented at the cyber police station in New Delhi district, Tiwari submitted a written representation on January 22, urgently requesting immediate legal action against the impersonating account operating under the name "Monoj Tiwari BJP".
Serious Allegations of Unauthorized Representation
In his formal grievance, the parliamentarian explicitly stated that the suspicious account had absolutely no legitimate connection with him and was being operated entirely without his consent or authorization. The FIR, which was formally registered on January 29, clearly articulated that this alleged impersonation constituted unauthorized and improper exploitation of Tiwari's personal identity and his official position as an elected public representative.
The complaint characterized this act as particularly serious and highly objectionable, emphasizing that such malicious misuse possessed significant potential to mislead the general public and cause substantial damage to his personal and professional reputation. Police authorities confirmed that a prima facie offence had been established under specific legal provisions.
Legal Framework Invoked in the Case
Law enforcement officials indicated that the preliminary investigation revealed violations under Section 66C of the Information Technology Act, which specifically addresses identity theft, and Section 356(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, concerning defamation. These sections provide the legal foundation for pursuing action against digital impersonation and character defamation.
Account Accessibility and Content Restriction
When attempts were made to access the Facebook link referenced in the official FIR documentation, the impersonating profile was no longer visible within the Indian jurisdiction. A notification displayed on the page indicated that the content had been restricted following a formal legal request submitted by I4C–Delhi Law Enforcement. This development suggests that initial steps have been taken to mitigate the immediate impact of the fraudulent account.
This incident highlights growing concerns about digital identity theft targeting public figures and the mechanisms available for legal recourse in such cyber crime scenarios. The case continues to be under active investigation by the cyber police unit in New Delhi.
