FIR against JD(S) X account handler over false claim of D.K. Shivakumar’s expulsion from Congress

The Bengaluru police have booked the individual managing the Janata Dal (Secular) party’s official X account for allegedly using a fake All India Congress Committee (AICC) letterhead to spread misinformation. 

On August 26, the JD(S) shared a purported image of a letter bearing the AICC name at the top, which falsely claimed that Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had been expelled from the Congress party.

Following this post, a 60-year-old lawyer, identified as Dhananjaya, lodged a complaint at the High Grounds police station. Based on his complaint, police registered an FIR under the IT Act and Sections 351(1)(6) (criminal intimidation) and 353(20) (statements likely to cause public mischief) of the BNS.

In his complaint, Dhananjaya stated that the JD(S) had misused a fake AICC letterhead to spread false information. He also quoted the contents of the post shared by the JD(S), which read,“On recommendation of the Disciplinary Action Committee, the Karnataka Pradesh Congress President, Shri D.K. Shivakumar, is hereby expelled from the Congress party for his anti-party activities with immediate effect, subject to the approval of AICC.” He urged police to take action against the person operating the party’s X account.

The High Grounds police have taken up the case and have launched an investigation.