Bantwal: Police book social media accounts for spreading fake communal posts

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Jul 18, 2026: The Bantwal Town Police have registered three separate cases against several social media accounts and WhatsApp groups for allegedly circulating edited photographs and provocative posts related to the recent murder of a woman at B.C. Road, with the intention of disturbing communal harmony and public peace.

According to police, following the woman’s murder at B.C. Road, a case was registered at the Bantwal Town Police Station under Sections 78, 126 and 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, along with Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act.

During the investigation, police found that the accused’s photograph had allegedly been digitally altered by adding a saffron shawl and vermilion to falsely portray him as a Bajrang Dal activist. The edited image, accompanied by misleading and inflammatory messages capable of inciting communal tensions, was allegedly circulated through various WhatsApp groups and Instagram accounts.

Based on a complaint, the Bantwal Town Police registered a case under Sections 196 and 353(2) of the BNS against the Instagram account troll_master.__ and the following WhatsApp groups: Yuva Belthangady, P Padmaraj Padmaraj Pari, Padmaraj Padmaraj Pari, Yuva Congress Belthangady, and Facts and Justice.

In a separate case, police registered an FIR under Section 353(2) of the BNS against the Facebook account "Shailaja Amarnath" for allegedly posting false and provocative content that could disturb public peace.

In another case, police booked the Facebook account "Chethan Belchada" under Section 353(2) of the BNS for allegedly editing the accused’s photograph to portray him as a Congress worker and sharing the manipulated image along with misleading and inflammatory content on social media.

Police have urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified or fabricated content on social media, warning that strict legal action will be taken against those attempting to spread misinformation or incite communal unrest.