The Cyber Police Station in Siwan, Bihar, directed X to remove multiple posts related to a mob-lynching case involving a Muslim boy, citing concerns over "objectionable, misleading, fact-less" content that could disrupt law and order. The June 1 notice identified posts from journalist @meerfaisal001 and accounts @abufawaz24, @bihar_police, and @SarwarRashid10, ordering X to take down the content and preserve related data, according to medianama.com.
The police notice invoked Section 79 of the Information Technology Act and Section 94 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), demanding X provide details such as names, IP addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, GPS locations, and recent access information of the creators or uploaders of the flagged content. Authorities warned that non-compliance could lead to legal consequences under both laws. The posts had gone viral on social media, raising fears of potential loss of life and property.
The Software Freedom Law Center (SFLC) confirmed the posts were removed following the police directive but expressed concerns about the implications for online free speech and press freedom. The affected accounts include a journalist's handle, highlighting tensions between law enforcement actions and digital rights advocacy. The case underscores ongoing challenges in balancing public order and freedom of expression on social media platforms in India.
The police order represents one of the recent instances where law enforcement has used IT and BNSS provisions to regulate social media content amid communal tensions. The notice was issued on June 1, with X required to comply promptly to avoid penalties, as detailed by medianama.com.