Coimbatore district police have arrested a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) functionary for allegedly uploading a video containing abusive language directed at the Tamil Nadu Police force. The incident has sparked legal action under new cyber and penal laws.
Arrest Following Social Media Complaint
The case originated from a complaint filed by G. Vignesh, 31, a resident of Perur Chettipalayam in Coimbatore. Vignesh came across a controversial video on Facebook, posted from an account with the ID 'Sethu Santhanam'. Disturbed by its content, he approached the Perur police station on Saturday to file an official complaint.
In the video, an individual was seen using highly offensive language to criticize the Tamil Nadu police. The tirade was specifically in response to the police's recent actions of arresting and taking measures against personnel associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in the state. The person in the clip made a contentious claim, stating that once his party assumes power, they would transfer all Tamil Nadu police officers to the Army and bring in RSS members to manage law enforcement in the state.
Swift Police Action and Legal Charges
Acting on the complaint, the Perur police swiftly registered a case. The charges were framed under multiple sections of the newly enacted Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), specifically sections 296(b), 196, 353(1)(c), and 351(2). These sections were read in conjunction with Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, which deals with publishing obscene material in electronic form.
An investigation was launched immediately, leading police to identify the accused as S. Santhana Krishnan, 44, hailing from Kalaiyar Kovil in Sivagangai district. At the time, he was found to be residing near Kolampalayam in Coimbatore district. A police team rushed to his residence on Saturday night and apprehended him.
Judicial Proceedings and Bail
Following his arrest, Santhana Krishnan was produced before a judicial magistrate. After due process, the magistrate granted him bail, leading to his release from custody. The police confirmed that he is a functionary of the BJP, adding a political dimension to the case.
This arrest highlights the increasing scrutiny of online content and the application of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in cases involving defamation and threats against public servants. The Tamil Nadu police have demonstrated a firm stance against what they perceive as abusive and provocative content targeting their personnel on social media platforms.
