Our Bureau
Hyderabad
Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have registered two First Information Reports (FIRs) naming Meta India head Arun Srinivas and several social media account operators over the circulation of allegedly morphed and objectionable posts targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, intensifying scrutiny of social media platforms operating in the country.
According to police, the cases relate to Facebook and Instagram posts allegedly containing manipulated videos and images of the Prime Minister that surfaced during recent nationwide protests over the alleged paper leak controversy. Investigators have alleged that the content was defamatory and misleading, and are examining its origin, circulation and the role of the platform in addressing such material.
Officials are expected to issue notices to Meta as part of the investigation. While Arun Srinivas has been named in the FIR, authorities have not publicly explained the basis for his inclusion. Legal experts note that holding a company’s local executive personally liable is uncommon unless investigators establish direct knowledge or involvement. Meta had not issued an official response at the time of reporting.
The development comes days after the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) summoned Meta executives following the temporary removal of a Facebook post by Prime Minister Modi. The company later described the removal as an error and restored the content, while assuring the government that posts from high-profile public figures would receive additional oversight and senior-level review.
The latest police action underscores the growing regulatory focus on social media platforms in India, where digital intermediaries face increasing pressure to act swiftly against unlawful online content under the country’s information technology rules. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities expected to examine the responsibilities of both the account operators and the platform in the alleged dissemination of the disputed content.