Sharad Pawar party leader arrested over morphed Fadnavis image, Naxal posts

According to the cyber cell of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police, the case is based on a complaint filed by a Pune-based advocate on April 22, alleging that multiple objectionable posts were shared from social media accounts linked to Balgude between April 3 and April 20.

In Short

• Cyber Police register case after Pune advocate files complaint
• Accused posted objectionable content, say police officials
• Investigators flag morphed image of Fadnavis as key evidence

The cyber cell of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police has arrested a 40-year-old man from Baramati for allegedly circulating a morphed image of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and sharing content supportive of Naxal elements on social media.

The accused, Mahadev Vilas Balgude, is reportedly associated with the social media wing of the Sharad Pawar-led faction of the Nationalist Congress Party – NCP (SP). He was arrested and produced before a court, which remanded him to six days of police custody for further investigation.

According to police, the case is based on a complaint filed by a Pune-based advocate on April 22, alleging that multiple objectionable posts were shared from social media accounts linked to Balgude between April 3 and April 20.

The content included a morphed image of Fadnavis and posts that allegedly encouraged hostile actions against the Chief Minister.

Authorities also flagged several posts which referred to Madvi Hidma, a senior Maoist leader. Following the complaint, the police registered an FIR and initiated an investigation.

Police have invoked multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita, including Sections 356(2) (defamation), 352, 353(1)(b), 336(2), 336(4), and 152 (acts prejudicial to the unity and integrity of India), along with charges related to intentional insult and offences affecting public order and national integrity. Charges under the Information Technology Act concerning identity misuse have also been applied.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Shivaji Pawar confirmed the arrest and stated that further investigation is ongoing to determine the full extent of Balgude’s social media activity and its potential impact.

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