In a significant development, controversial YouTuber Dhruv Rathee has come under fire for allegedly spreading false information about Anjali Arora, the daughter of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, on the social media platform X. The Maharashtra Nodal Cyber Police have swiftly responded by registering a First Information Report (FIR) against Rathee, highlighting the seriousness of the allegations.
The controversy centres around a parody account named “Dhruv Rathee (parody) @dhruvrahtee” on X, which purportedly disseminated a misleading post about Anjali Arora. This fake post, according to sources, questioned the legitimacy of Anjali Arora’s clearance of the UPSC exam, alleging she passed without actually appearing for the exam.
BREAKING NEWS 🚨 FIR has been filed against @dhruvrahtee for sharing objectionable content about Anjali Birla, daughter of Speaker Om Birla.@DhruvRahtee has now deleted all his posts and comments on Anjali Birla.
He issues public apology on X.
He said he was “unaware” about… pic.twitter.com/Cmi4TkrhoP
— Times Algebra (@TimesAlgebraIND) July 13, 2024
The legal action stems from a formal complaint filed by Speaker Om Birla’s family, prompting the Maharashtra Nodal Cyber Police to invoke relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology (IT) Act against Rathee. These sections specifically address issues related to defamation and the dissemination of false information through electronic platforms.
Swati Maliwal, who has been at the centre of previous controversies involving YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, also weighed in on the matter. She accused Rathee of having affiliations with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and lamented the consequences of his alleged defamation campaigns. Maliwal claimed, “After a relentless campaign by AAP leaders aimed at tarnishing my reputation, victim-shaming, and inciting public sentiments, I have been subjected to threats of rape and murder. The situation escalated further when Dhruv Rathee posted a one-sided video targeting me.”
The FIR against Dhruv Rathee parody account underscores the growing scrutiny and legal repercussions faced by individuals who misuse social media platforms to propagate false or defamatory content. This incident also highlights the challenges in regulating digital content and the critical role of law enforcement agencies in maintaining integrity and safeguarding individuals’ reputations in the online sphere.
Efforts are underway to gather further evidence and statements related to the case, with authorities emphasising the need for responsible use of social media and adherence to legal frameworks designed to protect individuals from online harassment and misinformation.
