Surat social‑media personality taken into custody over Gandhi‑inspired Instagram reel
The Cyber Crime Branch in Surat has placed a 47‑year‑old Instagram user from the Adajan area behind bars after a short video she posted on October 1 sparked official backlash. The clip, released just days before Gandhi Jayanti, showed Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait as it appears on a ₹500 note and was accompanied by gestures and captions that authorities deemed disrespectful.
Known online as Simran Patel, she describes herself as a homemaker but boasts close to one million followers on the platform. Police say a formal complaint set off a digital forensics sweep that linked the offending reel to her account, leading to her arrest.
Charges filed under the Information Technology Act
Investigators lodged a case under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, which penalises the creation or transmission of obscene material in electronic form. After verifying the content, the cyber‑crime team formally booked Patel and placed her in police custody.
The filing underscores how India’s cyber statutes are being wielded to police speech that is perceived as offensive toward revered national figures.
Officials caution against risky social‑media behaviour
The branch issued a wide‑ranging advisory urging internet users to double‑check facts before sharing and to steer clear of using religious, cultural or historical symbols in ways that could attract legal repercussions. Netizens are also encouraged to report suspicious content to the appropriate authorities rather than amplifying it.
The probe remains active as law enforcement continues to examine the creation, dissemination and intent behind the controversial reel.
