Delhi Police Investigates Fake Notices Targeting Digital Rights Groups
Authorities trace a teenager after fraudulent requests were sent to X to block accounts.
1Fraudulent Blocking Requests
The Delhi Police Crime Branch has registered a formal FIR regarding fake notices sent to the social media platform X. These fraudulent documents falsely claimed to be from the police department, demanding the immediate suspension of accounts belonging to the Internet Freedom Foundation and the Software Freedom Law Centre, two prominent digital rights organizations.
2Legal Charges Filed
The FIR was filed against unidentified persons under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, specifically citing provisions for forgery and the impersonation of a public servant. Additionally, the charges include computer-related offenses under the Information Technology Act. These legal actions aim to address the unauthorized use of official authority to suppress digital speech and advocacy.
3Teenager Identified as Suspect
Police investigators have successfully traced the alleged perpetrator behind these deceptive notices to a 17-year-old individual residing in Srinagar. This development follows a rapid digital forensic investigation conducted by the Crime Branch to identify the source of the impersonation. Authorities are currently processing the case according to juvenile justice protocols and relevant cyber laws.
4Platform Investigation Results
On Friday, the social media platform X informed the Delhi High Court that its internal investigation confirmed the notices were not genuine police communications. The platform explicitly identified the sender as an imposter. Consequently, the company assured the court that the targeted accounts belonging to the digital rights groups would remain active and operational.
5Court Proceedings Concluded
The Delhi High Court was hearing a petition filed by the Internet Freedom Foundation and the Software Freedom Law Centre, who challenged the legitimacy of the blocking notices. Following the platform's formal submission confirming the fraud, the court decided to dispose of the pleas, effectively ending the immediate legal threat to the organizations' accounts.
6Broader Pattern of Harassment
This incident follows a previous event on October 30, where the same digital rights groups reported receiving separate, purported legal notices. Those documents were allegedly sent in the name of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the parent organization of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, demanding the groups cease documenting and opposing government content restriction orders.
7Political Context of Notices
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has not provided an official comment regarding the notices sent in its name. The intersection of these fake legal threats and the groups' active opposition to government content restriction orders highlights a tense environment for digital rights advocacy, where impersonation is being used to intimidate organizations monitoring state policy.
8Implications for Digital Security
The case underscores the vulnerability of social media moderation systems to sophisticated impersonation tactics. By leveraging the names of law enforcement and political entities, bad actors attempt to bypass standard verification processes. This event serves as a critical reminder for platforms to strengthen their authentication protocols when handling sensitive requests involving account takedowns.
Original article: Scroll.in — Delhi Police Investigates Fake Notices Targeting Digital Rights Groups