AIB spoof: After threat from Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, policemen in plainclothes tail Tanmay Bhat

Amey Khopkar, president of Maharashtra Navnirman Chitrapat Karmachari Sena, filed a police complaint against Tanmay Bhat’s video.

Police said if a private person is deemed to have a threat perception, uncategorised security comprising two-four armed policemen is extended to the person, the expenses of which are borne by the state government.

On Tuesday, the city police, through Google and Facebook, got the controversial video deleted. However, copies of the video are still available on YouTube. The cyber crime cell has been asked to delete copies of the video posted through proxy servers.

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“On Monday, we had requested Google and Facebook to delete the video but after it went viral, we suspect mischief-mongers would have downloaded it and, through proxy servers, are posting it on the Internet. The cyber cell has been asked to delete these links,” said an officer.

Police suspect most copied videos were posted through proxy servers in a foreign country. “The video has the potential to create a law and order problem given that many political parties want a case registered against the comedian. We suspect Pakistani hackers downloaded the video and are posting it through proxy servers. A lose analysis of these servers reveal most do not originate in India,” the officer said.

While a preliminary assessment by police indicate that the complaint lodged by the MNS cine wing against Bhat merits a non-cognisable offence, they are awaiting the legal team’s opinion.

“While in our initial assessment, we felt that the complaint only attracts provisions under Section 500 for defamation under the Indian Penal Code, we are studying if it amounts to criminal intimidation causing disrepute to a person under Section 503 of the IPC. However, under the said section depending upon the merit of the case, a complaint can be either cognisable or non-cognisable,” said an officer, adding that the legal team would also study if provisions of the IT Act could be invoked in the case.

On Tuesday, a police team went through the transcript of the video. “Expletives were used a couple of times,” said the officer. Police sources said they were not planning to summon Bhat anytime soon.