Academician Madhu Kishwar Booked Over Alleged Misleading Content On Social Media

Chandigarh Police have registered an FIR against Madhu Kishwar and several social media users over allegations of circulating misleading, forged and defamatory online content linked to a viral video.

The case was filed at Sector-26 police station following a complaint on April 19, alleging that a travel vlog video was downloaded, reposted and circulated with altered captions and obscene or misleading descriptions , leading to misidentification of individuals featured in it.

According to police, the FIR includes charges of criminal defamation, promoting enmity, forgery and public mischief , along with provisions under the Information Technology Act . The accused have been booked under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita , including provisions related to false electronic records and defamation .

Investigators stated that the original clip was a travel vlogger’s video showing a man in a wellness/spa-like setting , which was originally uploaded on social media by the vlogger’s wife. Police said the controversy arose after the clip was reshared with misleading captions and identity claims , with some posts allegedly linking it to a constitutional authority and using obscene language.

The complaint was filed by a Chandigarh-based resident, a former councillor, who alleged that the content was deliberately manipulated to disturb public peace and damage reputations .

Police further said that Kishwar has been accused of retweeting or amplifying the content , and not necessarily creating the original video. A Chandigarh Police team later visited Delhi and served her a notice under Section 35(3) of BNSS , directing her to join the investigation.

As part of the probe, statements of individuals linked to the video, including the man seen in the clip and another woman, have already been recorded.

Meanwhile, Kishwar posted on social media platform X stating that police visited her residence late at night to serve the notice. She objected to the timing, citing legal provisions regarding police action against women during nighttime hours, and asked officers to return the next morning.

Police said the investigation is ongoing and further action will depend on evidence collected.