Bareilly District Police has arrested a village head for hurting religious sentiments by posting objectionable posts on social media. The accused had shared the post on Facebook by removing the saffron flag from a temple and putting up the Islamic flag.
According to the police, Mohammad Arif alias Guddu, the pradhan of Bhikampur village, located within the Bhojipura police station area, had uploaded a video on Facebook, in which a temple flag was pulled down and an Islamic flag was hoisted there.
Superintendent of Police (Rural) Raj Kumar Agarwal said that the social media cell of Bareilly police sent the video to the Bhojipura police station, where it was found that Arif had uploaded it.
Based on the complaint of sub-inspector Modi Singh, a case was registered against the accused under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 295A (outraging religious feelings), 153 (provocation with intent to cause riot) and 67 of the Information Technology Act.
The SP said that on the basis of a tip-off, the police arrested Arif alias Guddu from near Baikunthapur Gate, who confessed that he had uploaded the video on Facebook. While taking legal action against the arrested accused, he was produced before the court and from there he was sent to jail.
According to the police, several cases are already registered against Arif. In the year 2021, a case was registered for obstructing government work, rebellion and many other sections.