FIR filed over fake profile using PM Modi’s photo, party symbols

Bahraich: Police have registered an FIR under the Information Technology (IT) Act and launched a cyber probe after a fake social media profile allegedly used Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s photograph, BJP symbols, images of party leaders and Hindu religious icons to falsely project a woman as a BJP office-bearer and election candidate. BJP leaders claimed the account was created to spread misinformation and damage the party’s image.

The controversy surfaced after objectionable posters circulated on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) through a profile operating under the name “Rukhsana Bahraich” (Rukhsana Khatoon). According to police sources, the profile shared two controversial posters in quick succession.

One poster featured the BJP district office building in Bahraich as its background image and falsely projected Rukhsana Khatoon as the “office head” of the district unit. Another portrayed her as an official BJP candidate for an upcoming election and displayed the party’s election symbol.

The BJP also alleged that the profile misused photographs of Hindu deities, religious symbols and images of senior party leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Party leaders claimed the content had the potential to create political as well as communal confusion among the public and party workers.

After the posters went viral, BJP district president Brijesh Pandey issued a clarification stating that no woman named Rukhsana Khatoon is associated with the party and that she has no connection with the BJP’s district office. He further said the party had neither appointed any office-bearer by that name nor declared her as a candidate.

Following instructions from the district president, BJP district media in-charge Shivankar Shukla lodged a formal complaint with Bahraich Police. The complaint alleged that the fake profile was part of a deliberate attempt to tarnish the party’s reputation and spread misinformation.

Acting on the complaint, police registered an FIR against the unidentified operator of the social media account under relevant provisions of the IT Act and cybercrime laws. The cyber cell and technical investigation team have launched an investigation and are examining the digital footprints linked to the profile to identify the person behind it.

Police officials said efforts are underway to trace the account creator and that appropriate legal action will be taken once the accused is identified.