A woman with around one million followers on Instagram was arrested by the Surat Cyber Crime Branch for allegedly posting an objectionable reel involving the representation of Mahatma Gandhi on a Rs 500 currency note.
A Cyber Crime Branch press note identified the accused as Simran Patel, a 47-year-old homemaker and resident of Surat's Adajan area, who was held under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act.
The Gujarat Police confirmed that she was arrested for making and posting a video that contained inappropriate visuals and gestures using the image of Mahatma Gandhi on the currency note.
"On October 1, Patel uploaded a reel on her Instagram account in which the image of Gandhiji on the Rs 500 note was shown in a vulgar manner. It was accompanied by objectionable and insulting statements and gestures with a sexual reference. The video was then shared on Instagram by her, following which a citizen approached the police," the press note said.
The police action followed a written complaint against the influencer by one Dharmesh Gami, a social worker, NDTV said in a report. He approached the Surat Crime Branch and filed a complaint against the reel.
The police urged people not to spread rumours or unverified content through social media and urged them to inform authorities if they come across fake or objectionable reels or posts.
They also cautioned social media users against creating or sharing obscene, objectionable, or insulting content involving national figures, religious symbols, or social symbols, saying such activities are illegal and can invite legal action.
