The controversy surrounding ethanol-blended fuel has entered the legal domain after the Bharatiya Janata Party's Nagpur city social media cell chief filed a police complaint against several social media influencers and content creators over posts allegedly targeting Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari. Acting on the complaint, the Nagpur Cyber Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation into the matter. The complaint alleges that misleading and defamatory content relating to ethanol-blended fuel was circulated on social media, damaging the minister's reputation.
The complaint was lodged by Shishir Tripathi, who heads the BJP's Nagpur city social media cell. According to the complaint, several individuals allegedly published content that spread misinformation about ethanol-blended fuel while making defamatory remarks about Gadkari. The complainant has sought legal action, claiming that the posts misrepresented government policy and unfairly targeted the Union minister.
Based on the complaint, the Nagpur Cyber Police registered a case under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 356 relating to defamation, Section 352 concerning intentional insult with the intent to provoke a breach of peace, and Section 296 dealing with obscene acts. Police have also invoked Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, which pertains to publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form.
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The registered case marks the latest development in the public debate over ethanol-blended fuel, a policy that has attracted both support and criticism in recent months. Ethanol blending has been promoted by the Union government as part of its strategy to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, lower carbon emissions and support domestic agricultural production. However, discussions surrounding its impact on vehicle performance and fuel efficiency have generated significant online debate.
Authorities have not publicly disclosed the identities of all those named in the complaint, and the investigation remains at a preliminary stage. The police are expected to examine the social media posts, determine whether they violate applicable laws and decide on further legal action based on the evidence collected during the investigation.
The case highlights the increasing scrutiny of online content related to public policy and government officials, particularly on social media platforms where information can spread rapidly. As the investigation progresses, the legal process will determine whether the posts in question amount to criminal offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act.
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