Delhi Police Book X Handles Over Anti-Modi Posts

New Delhi: The Delhi Police on Wednesday intensified its crackdown on social media activity linked to the anti-exam paper leak protests by registering an FIR against several X (formerly Twitter) handles for allegedly posting "derogatory, malicious and defamatory" content targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The FIR was registered by the Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit of the Special Cell under Sections 351(3) (criminal intimidation), 353(2) (circulating false information or rumours) and 356(2) (defamation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Police also issued notices to X directing the platform to remove or disable access to the identified posts within three hours, preserve all electronic records related to the accounts and furnish subscriber details, including names, addresses, contact information, email IDs and login/logout records. Officials said the investigation was underway and further action would depend on the digital evidence received from the platform.

According to the notices, the complaint alleged that "derogatory, malicious and defamatory" content targeting constitutional functionaries had been circulated on X. Investigators are examining whether the posts violate provisions of the BNS and other applicable laws. The notices, issued under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and the Information Technology Rules, also directed X to preserve all relevant data for evidentiary purposes.

The police action triggered protests by several Left-affiliated student organisations at Jantar Mantar, where demonstrators alleged a wider crackdown on participants in the anti-paper leak movement. Protesters demanded the release of those detained during the recent "Chalo Sansad" demonstrations and claimed that several social media accounts associated with the movement had been blocked.

The All India Students Association (AISA) warned that it would take the paper leak protest to Bihar on Thursday if students arrested during the "Chalo Sansad" protest were not released immediately. The organisation called upon student groups across the country to join the proposed protest.

The Students' Federation of India (SFI) accused the Delhi Police of attempting to arrest its national joint secretary Aishe Ghosh under the guise of executing an old non-bailable warrant. Addressing a press conference, SFI leaders alleged that the move was part of a broader crackdown on student leaders involved in the protests that culminated in the resignation of former Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Delhi Police denied the allegation, stating that an investigating officer had visited the AKG Centre solely in connection with an old court-issued non-bailable warrant and that the visit had no link to the recent protests. The SFI, however, maintained that the Patiala House Court had already cancelled the warrant and said Ghosh would appear before the court on Thursday.

The police also rejected social media claims that a protester had sustained a gunshot injury during the July 20 demonstration. Citing medical reports, officials said the injury was caused by blunt force and that there was no evidence of a firearm injury.

At Jantar Mantar, protesters raised slogans against the alleged criminalisation of students and demanded action against police personnel accused of using excessive force during the July 20 protest march. The demonstration was organised by a coalition of Left student organisations, including the JNU Students' Union, AISA, SFI, AISF and several other youth groups.

Separately, the Mahila Congress staged a protest near the BJP headquarters against BJP MP Kangana Ranaut over her remarks describing Gen Z as a "gutter generation". Protesters demanded an apology, while Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke and spokesperson Saurav Das also criticised the actor. Ranaut dismissed the criticism and described Das as "totally useless and unemployed."