Telangana Congress Social Media Team Members Granted Bail in Doctored Video Case
Five members of the Telangana Congress’ social media team were granted bail by the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate court (ACCM), Nampally on Friday, May 3, in connection with the circulation of a doctored video of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s speech in Siddipet.
They were apprehended recently by the Hyderabad Cyber Crime police for their alleged involvement in disseminating a manipulated video of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The five accused individuals, namely Pendyala Vamshi Krishna (prime accused- A1), Manne Sathish, Pettam Naveen, Asma Tasleem, and Koya Geetha, were accused of circulating the altered video of Amit Shah’s speech during his election campaign and public meeting at Siddipet, as stated by the police in a press release.
The charges against them include sections 469 (forgery), 505(1)C (provoking disturbances), 171 G (publishing false statements with the intent to affect the result of an election), 502(2) (sale or circulation of any printed or engraved substance containing defamatory matter) IPC, and section 125 RP Act 1951 (undue influence).
According to the police, Pendyala Vamshi Krishna received the manipulated video via WhatsApp, which he subsequently uploaded on the “@INCTelangana” X handle and shared it across various WhatsApp groups.
“The other accused individuals also viewed the video and shared it through their respective X handles. Upon notification by X regarding sensitive content, they promptly deleted it, thus violating the Model Code of Conduct,” the police elaborated.
In addition to the arrests, law enforcement officials seized five mobile phones, one I Ball slide tablet, two ACER laptops, and two CPUs.
The accused were granted bail by the court under the condition of submitting two sureties worth Rs 10,000 each and providing attendance before the Investigative Officer on Monday and Friday until further orders.
