GUWAHATI: The Assam police arrested a Congress worker from Guwahati on Monday in connection with a fake video of Union home minister Amit Shah pertaining to reservations.
“Assam police have arrested an individual named Sri Reetam Singh in connection with the fake video involving Honorable Home Minister Sri @AmitShah,” Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote on X.
In a statement, Pranabjyoti Goswami, who is the Chief Public Relations Officer of Assam Police, said a case was earlier registered with the Panbazar police station regarding the circulation of a “distorted and motivated tweet on the Union Home Minister”.
The case was registered under IPC sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups), 171G (false statement in connection with an election), 505(1)(b) (causing fear or alarm to the public whereby a person induced to commit an offence against the state or public tranquility) read with section 66F of the IT Act (cyber terrorism).
“During investigation, one Reetam Singh (31), son of Balwant Singh, Ulubari was arrested today and two mobile phones and one personal laptop were seized from his possession. Further investigation is being carried out,” the statement said.
According to Singh’s X handle profile, he is the ‘War Room Coordinator’ of the Assam Congress.
The police did not share the details but the case reportedly pertains to circulation of a video in which Shah’s statements were misinterpreted to convey that he favoured the cancellation of all reservations.
Union minister Kiren Rijiju shared the original and morphed videos on X earlier in the day.
He wrote, “Shame on Congress Party. I strongly condemn Congress for spreading a fake & edited video. Home Minister @AmitShah ji's words have been twisted. Misleading the public is a disservice to democracy. This irresponsible behaviour has the potential to disrupt peace.”