Cyber Vendetta: Mohali Doctor Booked for Allegedly Defaming Girl on Instagram

In a disturbing case that shines a harsh light on the darker aspects of social media, a Mohali-based woman doctor has found herself at the center of a serious legal investigation. She stands accused of orchestrating a campaign of defamation and identity theft against a young girl, utilizing a fake Instagram account to launch a vicious online attack.

The accused, identified as Dr.

Swati Mohindra, is alleged to have meticulously crafted a fabricated Instagram profile, which she then used to disseminate highly offensive and derogatory content targeting the complainant's daughter. The allegations include the posting of doctored images and deeply insulting remarks, all designed to cause significant distress, public humiliation, and irreparable damage to the victim's reputation.

The gravity of these actions prompted the victim’s mother, a resident of Panchkula, to file a formal complaint with the Mohali police.

According to her detailed statement, the roots of this malicious online campaign trace back to an unresolved dispute between her daughter and Dr. Mohindra’s daughter. Both young women were reportedly classmates at a private university in Bengaluru, where an unspecified disagreement escalated into this shocking online vendetta.

The First Information Report (FIR) lodged at the Phase 1 police station in Mohali outlines the extent of the alleged cybercrime.

It states that Dr. Mohindra employed the fake Instagram account to publish highly objectionable material, including not only photoshopped images of the victim but also accompanying captions filled with vitriol, explicitly aimed at tarnishing the young girl's character and image within her social circles and beyond.

The Mohali police have taken swift and decisive action, registering a case against Dr.

Mohindra under several stringent sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Information Technology (IT) Act. The charges include Section 500 for criminal defamation, Section 509 for any word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman—a crucial inclusion highlighting the gendered nature of the attack—and Section 66C of the IT Act, which specifically addresses identity theft.

The latter charge suggests that the fake account may have impersonated the victim or used her personal information without consent.

This alarming incident serves as a stark and sobering reminder of the devastating impact of cyberbullying and online harassment, particularly when perpetrated by individuals in positions of public trust.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the community watches closely, anticipating that justice will be served and a clear message sent that such malicious acts in the digital realm will not be tolerated. The investigation aims to uncover the full scope of the allegations, ensuring accountability and upholding the safety and dignity of individuals navigating the complexities of the online world.