Kairana-Kandhla ‘exodus’: Cops keep tab on WhatsApp messages, two FIRs lodged

Circle Officer (City) Nishank Sharma said 50 groups on WhatsApp have been identified and these are being closely watched. “In the last two days, we have identified two messages, which were found to be derogatory and FIRs have been lodged,” said the CO.

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The first case was lodged against a local, Vinay Garg, and one unidentified person at Kotwali police station on charges of wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot. No one has been arrested.

Kotwali Station House Officer Satish Rai said Vinay had posted a false message in the group to create an atmosphere that may led to riot. “Vinay had posted that people of a particular community had ransacked the Kotwali police station when they were denied permission to offer prayer on the first floor of the police station building. He also wrote that no action has be taken against those people. The message was totally false and no such incident had happened,” said Rai. The FIR was filed by Senior Sub-inspector K P Singh.

Another case was filed at Kandhla police station against group admin Mohit Sharma and one Ashutosh Pandey, who had reportedly posted a “disrespectful message”. While Sharma had obtained bail, police are conducting raids to trace Pandey.

Kandhla SHO Sahab Singh said: “Ashutosh had posted a message targeting a particular community, which could led to problem of a law and order situation.” This case has been filed on charges of wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot and promoting enmity between different religions.

A delegation of five sants, sent to Kairana by the state government to ascertain facts behind BJP’s allegation of Hindu “exodus” — the panel had submitted its report last week — had also showed serious concern on the spread of false rumours through WhatsApp. They had also reportedly recommended that a special cell be set up to keep a watch on WhatsApp messages.