Woman arrested in Gujarat over objectionable Instagram reel featuring Gandhi image

Surat: A 47-year-old woman with nearly one million followers on Instagram was arrested by the Surat Cyber Crime Branch for allegedly posting an objectionable reel featuring Mahatma Gandhi's image on a Rs 500 currency note, police said on Monday.

The accused, identified as Simran Patel, a homemaker from Adajan in Surat, was arrested under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, according to a Cyber Crime Branch press note.

Police said Patel posted the reel on her Instagram account on October 1. The video allegedly showed the image of Mahatma Gandhi on a Rs 500 note in a vulgar manner and contained objectionable and insulting statements and gestures with a sexual reference.

"On October 1, Patel uploaded a reel on her Instagram account in which the image of Gandhiji on the Rs 500 note was shown in a vulgar manner. It was accompanied by objectionable and insulting statements and gestures with a sexual reference. The video was then shared on Instagram by her, following which a citizen approached police," the press note said.

The police said the woman has around one million followers on Instagram.

The Cyber Crime Branch urged people not to circulate rumours or unverified information on social media and asked citizens to inform authorities if they come across fake or objectionable reels or posts.

It also cautioned social media users against creating or sharing obscene, objectionable or insulting content involving national figures, religious symbols or social symbols, saying such acts are illegal and could invite legal action.