Two journalists were arrested on Wednesday for their alleged attempt to smear Assam’s Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma after they shared a photo of him and his daughter with “lewd intent,” police said.
Taufiquddin Ahmad, editor-in-chief of the local news website Pratibimba Live, and his news editor Iqbal were arrested for investigating the “conspiracy,” said additional police director general (Law & Order) GP Singh.
Police would crack down on all such attempts under strict provisions of the POCSO Act, he said.
They were arrested on the basis of a case registered at the Dispur Police Station under section 509 of the IPC (with the intention of insulting the modesty of any woman) and sections 14 and 21 of the Protection of Children Act. Children Against Sexual Offenses (POCSO), he said. .
“Action will be taken against all persons, regardless of their place of residence, who use any of the social media platforms to maliciously use such platforms to promote this conspiracy,” Singh added.
The website had shared a photo of the minister hugging his daughter, after which it went viral on social media.
The website later apologized for not mentioning that the girl in the photo was the minister’s daughter and blamed others for sharing her with the intent to smear Sarma.
The news outlet received a backlash for the intention to publish the photo with Sarma retweeting and mentioning that it was him and his daughter.
Police said they are investigating the matter to identify those behind the post that is going viral.
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