Cyber Police Obtains Information on People Behind Fake News in the Name of Deshabhimani; IP Addresses Being Traced

Thiruvananthapuram: Thiruvananthapuram City Cyber Police have registered a case and launched a formal investigation into the systematic disinformation campaign being run in the name of Deshabhimani newspaper, after preliminary inquiries confirmed the campaign was organised and premeditated.

The case has been registered under BNS 336(4), BNS 356(3), and IT Act 66(D). Under BNS 336(4), spreading defamatory fake news through electronic media carries up to three years of imprisonment and a fine of up to ₹1 lakh. BNS 356(3) carries up to two years of imprisonment, while IT Act 66(D) provides for up to three years in jail and a fine of up to ₹1 lakh.

Police are currently examining the details of 12 links through which the fake content was first circulated. Information about those behind the campaign has been obtained, and their IP addresses are being collected.

The complaints were filed by Deshabhimani General Manager K.J. Thomas and Resident Editor M. Swaraj, who reported that fabricated cards using the newspaper's name, logo, and format were being circulated to defame the CPI(M) and its leaders. The DGP forwarded the complaints to the Cyber Police. Investigators have identified that the campaign is being run through thousands of fake accounts as well as through accounts associated with certain Congress, Muslim League, and Sangh Parivar activists.