Man held for ‘misleading’ social media post using Gujarat Deputy CM’s photo

A 35-year-old omelette vendor named Hardik Patel was apprehended by the Navsari Cyber Crime Unit on Thursday. The offense stems from his alleged role in disseminating "false and misleading information" via social media, coupled with a photograph of Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi.

Detective Sahdev Vatsabhai, part of the Navsari Cyber Crime Unit, stumbled upon the suspicious post. The message suggested liquor was being sold or discovered in certain Navsari district villages, prompting questions about appropriate responses to such occurrences.

Authorities registered a complaint against unidentified individuals under BNS 336 (4) (forgery executed with the intention to tarnish someone's reputation can lead to a maximum of three years in jail and a fine) and IT Act section 66 (c) (punishment for identity theft). The police subsequently recognized Hardik Patel, a Gandevi resident who operates a lorry and sells omelettes in the Dholai port region, as the prime suspect.

Navsari Superintendent of Police Rahul Patel revealed, "We have apprehended the accused. The post was initially taken down by him. Following an initial interrogation, the accused confessed that he created the post to garner more attention and followers on social media." Police have impounded Patel's mobile phone and are currently extracting data from it.