Mangaluru: Bantwal town police have registered three separate cases against multiple social media accounts and WhatsApp groups for allegedly circulating edited photos and spreading fake, provocative content aimed at disrupting communal harmony in connection with the murder.A case has been registered under sections 196 and 353(2) of BNS against an Instagram account and five WhatsApp groups. It is alleged that the accused’s photograph was digitally altered by adding a saffron shawl and kumkum, falsely projecting him as a Bajrang Dal activist, along with captions capable of disturbing public peace.A case has been booked against troll_master.__Instagram Account; Yuva Belthangady WA group; PPadmaraj Padmarajpari WA group; Padmaraj Padmaraj pari WA group; Yuva CongressBelthangady WA group; and Facts and Justice WA group.Another case has been registered under Section 353(2) of the BNS against a Facebook user named Shailaja Amarnath. The account holder allegedly posted false and provocative content with the intent to disrupt social peace and harmony.A third case has been booked under Section 353(2) of the BNS against a Facebook account operating under the name Chethan Belchada. The user allegedly circulated a morphed image of the murder accused, falsely identifying him as a Congress party worker, alongside misleading claims aimed at creating public unrest.Bantwal town police have officially taken up all three cases and further investigation is underway, said SP Arun K.
