Meta India Head Booked in Hyderabad FIR Over Alleged Morphed Content Targeting PM Modi

HYDERABAD, Jul 31: Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have registered an FIR against Meta’s India head and operators of Instagram and Facebook over allegations that morphed images and objectionable reels targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi were circulated on the social media platforms.

The case was registered on a complaint by T. Saikiran Goud, 32, a Social Media C.C. member from Nampally, who approached police on behalf of BJP Telangana workers. He alleged that he came across multiple Instagram reels and Facebook posts carrying allegedly morphed images and derogatory content concerning the Prime Minister while browsing social media on July 29.

The complaint alleged that the material could adversely affect the country’s sovereignty, integrity and public order. It sought a probe into whether the content promoted hatred, misinformation or violence and whether it violated provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Information Technology Act and other applicable laws.

The complainant also sought preservation of electronic evidence, identification of account operators and coordination with Meta Platforms, Inc. to obtain account details and take legal action if cognisable offences were established.

Police registered FIR No. 503/2026 under Sections 66(C) and 67 of the IT Act and Sections 353(2) and 336(4) of the BNS. The investigation has been assigned to Inspector P. Jayashankar of the Cyber Crime Police Station.

The development comes amid the Centre summoning senior Meta executives over Facebook’s temporary restriction of a video message posted by PM Modi last week. Meta had termed the restriction an inadvertent error and restored the video.

Electronics and Information Technology Secretary S Krishnan said Meta had informed the government that new protocols had been introduced for accounts of prominent public figures to prevent similar incidents. (Agencies)