WhatsApp group admin booked over ‘provocative messages’ on Ambedkar

The complainant said that his relative tried to stop the administrator and told him about the stringent law against such content, but the WhatsApp messages did not stop.

An FIR was registered at Dabri police station on Thursday evening, five months after a High Court advocate filed a complaint with Delhi Police. (Photo for representation)

A Delhi-based businessman, who is the administrator of a WhatsApp group, has been booked by Delhi Police for allegedly instigating people by posting provocative messages related to B R Ambedkar. An FIR was registered at Dabri police station on Thursday evening, five months after a High Court advocate filed a complaint with Delhi Police.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka district) Santosh Kumar Meena said, “We have registered an FIR under sections 153A and 295 of the IPC against the administrator of a WhatsApp group. Further investigations are on.” The complainant, Ankush Gautam, said, “My relative was a member of a WhatsApp group, which was being operated by the accused. I met him a few months ago and he said the group administrator was constantly posting wrong things about Ambedkar and was instigating others.”

The complainant said that his relative tried to stop the administrator and told him about the stringent law against such content, but the messages did not stop. “I then suggested that legal action be taken against him, and a complaint was filed with the Delhi Police and another in court. I have also sent my complaint to the National SC/ST commission and L-G Anil Baijal,” he said.

Police said that days after receiving the complaint, the investigation officer sent it to legal experts seeking their opinion, before registering an FIR. “The complainant has also provided pictures of all messages that the accused had posted,” an officer said. Police said they are now likely to approach the accused and other members of the WhatsApp group — called ‘Shalin’ and comprising 54 members — for questioning.

Mahender Singh Manral

Mahender Singh Manral is an Assistant Editor with the national bureau of The Indian Express. He is known for his impactful and breaking stories. He covers the Ministry of Home Affairs, Investigative Agencies, National Investigative Agency, Central Bureau of Investigation, Law Enforcement Agencies, Paramilitary Forces, and internal security. Prior to this, Manral had extensively reported on city-based crime stories along with that he also covered the anti-corruption branch of the Delhi government for a decade. He is known for his knack for News and a detailed understanding of stories. He also worked with Mail Today as a senior correspondent for eleven months. He has also worked with The Pioneer for two years where he was exclusively covering crime beat. During his initial days of the career he also worked with The Statesman newspaper in the national capital, where he was entrusted with beats like crime, education, and the Delhi Jal Board. A graduate in Mass Communication, Manral is always in search of stories that impact lives. ... Read More

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