BJP Worker Taken Into Custody Over Controversial Social Media Post
In a significant development from Coimbatore, a local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) functionary found himself behind bars on Saturday night. The arrest followed the circulation of a highly objectionable video on social media, where the individual was seen using abusive language directed at the Tamil Nadu police force.
The Perur police swiftly identified and apprehended the accused, named as S Santhana Krishnan, aged 44. A resident of Kalaiyar Kovil in Sivagangai district, Krishnan was staying near Kolampalayam in Coimbatore at the time of the incident.
The Complaint That Triggered the Arrest
The legal action was initiated based on a formal complaint filed by G Vignesh, a 31-year-old man from Perur Chettipalayam. Vignesh came across the offensive video on the popular platform Facebook, where it was posted by a user identified as Sethu Santhanam.
According to a police officer familiar with the case, the content of the video was highly inflammatory. The man in the recording used derogatory and abusive language to criticise the state police for their recent actions of arresting and taking legal steps against Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) personnel in Tamil Nadu.
Furthermore, the officer stated that the accused made a provocative claim in the video. He allegedly asserted that once his political party forms the government in the state, they would transfer all Tamil Nadu police personnel to the Army and bring RSS personnel to Tamil Nadu to take their place.
Legal Charges and Judicial Proceedings
Acting on Vignesh's complaint, which was lodged on Saturday itself, the Perur police registered a formal case. The charges were serious and multifaceted, invoking sections of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) as well as the Information Technology Act.
The specific sections under which the case was filed include:
- Section 296(b) of the BNS
- Section 196 of the BNS
- Section 353(1)(c) of the BNS
- Section 351(2) of the BNS
- All read with Section 67 of the Information Technology Act
Following his arrest, S Santhana Krishnan was presented before a judicial magistrate. The magistrate, after due consideration of the case, decided to release the BJP functionary on bail, marking the next step in the legal process.
Broader Implications and Political Context
This incident highlights the escalating tensions and the increasingly volatile relationship between certain political factions and the state police machinery in Tamil Nadu. The use of social media to launch virulent attacks on law enforcement agencies has become a growing concern, prompting strict legal action.
The arrest under the IT Act underscores the legal repercussions of posting abusive and threatening content online. It serves as a reminder that freedom of speech is not absolute and comes with the responsibility to not incite hatred or make threats against public servants performing their duty.
As the case proceeds, it will be closely watched for its impact on political discourse and the enforcement of cyber laws in the state. The swift police response also signals a zero-tolerance approach towards attempts to intimidate or disrespect the state's police force through digital platforms.
