For video claiming Goa airport is haunted, YouTuber arrested from Dwarka home

Police said an FIR was registered on the complaint of constable Suraj Shirodkar from the social media monitoring cell, Panaji. According to the police complaint, Vashisht and the administrator of a Facebook channel, RealTalk Clips, uploaded a video on the Facebook channel with the caption ‘Goa ka haunted airport’ (Goa’s haunted airport), thereby publishing false information.

Police said the alleged clip contained “false, malicious and superstitious allegations” in a manner that is capable of creating fear and alarm in the public, with an intent to promote their channel.

Police said that in the purported clip, the accused claimed that as per several articles online, many “paranormal activities” have occurred at the airport. Police said the accused narrated an account of one of the subscribers on his channel, who claimed to have worked at the airport. In the purported clip, the accused claimed that the airport is built on top of a cremation ground and that pilots often refuse to operate flights at night due to paranormal occurrences and “sightings of a mysterious woman in a red saree” on the runway.

Police said a probe was initiated, following which a team from Mopa Airport police station went to Delhi and arrested Vashisht from Dwarka. A mobile, a laptop and a camera were recovered from him. The FIR was lodged under sections of public mischief and common intention.

A police officer said they are discussing whether to take action against the admin of the Facebook page.

Earlier this year, Goa tourism minister Rohan Khaunte slammed social media influencers for running false narratives and sharing misleading information about tourist footfall in Goa, and alleged that influencers were running a “paid” campaign to malign the image of the coastal state.

In 2024, the crime branch of the Goa police made inquiries in Delhi and Haryana after receiving a complaint alleging that some videos had been circulated on WhatsApp as part of a larger “conspiracy to defame the government” and “incite anger against the state”.

In August 2023, Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant had announced that the government was considering taking action against social media influencers who “defame” the state on social media.

From the homepage

US revoked visas of Indian business executives over link to fentanyl trade: Embassy

‘I respect all religions’: CJI Gavai on critical social media posts over his comments in Khajuraho case

France’s Macron to submit ‘photographic, scientific evidence’ that wife Brigitte is a woman