NEW DELHI: An FIR was registered on Thursday after North-East Delhi MP Manoj Tiwari filed a police complaint alleging that an unknown person or group created and operated a fake Facebook account using his name, photographs and videos to spread misleading and false content on social media.According to the FIR registered at the Cyber Police Station, New Delhi district, the complaint was received on January 22. The complaint stemmed from a written representation submitted by Tiwari, a Lok Sabha MP from North-East Delhi, requesting immediate action against a fake Facebook profile operating under the name “Monoj Tiwari BJP”.In his complaint, Tiwari stated that the Facebook account had no connection whatsoever with him and was operated without his permission. He alleged that unknown persons fraudulently misused his name, public image, photographs and videos to circulate misleading messages on social media and in society at large.The FIR stated that the alleged impersonation amounted to unauthorised and improper use of Tiwari’s identity and position as a public representative. The complaint described the act as serious and objectionable, noting that such misuse had the potential to mislead the public and damage his reputation.Police said that after examining the contents of the complaint, a prima facie offence was found to be made out under Section 66C of the Information Technology Act, which deals with identity theft, and Section 356(3) (Defamation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).When TOI tried accessing the Facebook link cited in the FIR, the post was no longer visible in India. A notice on the page stated that the content had been restricted after a legal request from I4C–Delhi Law Enforcement.Police said that further investigation is underway to identify and take legal action against the person or persons responsible for operating the fake social media account.
