Hyderabad Cybercrime DCP Relieved Amid Row Over Cases Linked to PM Modi Content

A senior officer of the Hyderabad Cybercrime wing has been relieved of his responsibilities and directed to report to the Telangana Police Headquarters, triggering political controversy after reports linked the move to cases registered over allegedly objectionable social media content targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

However, senior police officials firmly rejected suggestions that the transfer was connected to the registration of criminal cases against Meta India and certain social media users following complaints filed by BJP activists.

The officer, Deputy Commissioner of Police Aravind Babu, was shifted from his post, but police sources told PTI that the decision was unrelated to the ongoing investigations. They described media reports claiming otherwise as "not correct" and maintained that the transfer had no connection with the cases.

The development nevertheless sparked a sharp political response from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accused the Congress government in Telangana of targeting an officer for carrying out his official duties.

State BJP president N Ramchander Rao alleged that the officer was punished merely for enforcing the law. In a post on X, he claimed the Congress government acted out of "deep hatred" for the Prime Minister and described the transfer as a "vindictive action." He further accused the ruling party of undermining impartial policing.

According to some media reports, senior government and police officials were unhappy with the cybercrime unit registering cases based on BJP complaints at a time when the Congress had publicly supported student protests, particularly those linked to the NEET paper leak controversy. Police sources, however, dismissed such claims.

The Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police recently registered two FIRs over allegedly objectionable online content concerning the Prime Minister. One case names users of Instagram, Facebook, and the Head of Meta in India, following allegations that certain posts promoted derogatory content and narratives considered prejudicial to the nation's sovereignty, integrity, and public order. Investigations remain underway.