Legal Hammer Falls: Three YouTube Channels Booked Over Malicious Fake News Against Gurugram MP

In a significant move against the proliferation of online misinformation, Gurugram police have initiated legal proceedings against three prominent YouTube channels. These channels stand accused of deliberately disseminating defamatory and utterly baseless fake news targeting Gurugram's Member of Parliament, Rao Inderjit Singh.

The action comes after a formal complaint highlighted a malicious campaign designed to tarnish the public figure's reputation.

The First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against "Gurugram Khabar," "Delhi NCR News," and "Daily Haryana News" at the Sector 53 police station. The complaint was lodged by Ved Prakash, who serves as the media advisor to MP Rao Inderjit Singh.

The channels have been booked under sections 500 (defamation) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code, underscoring the serious legal ramifications for such alleged acts.

According to the complaint, the YouTube channels allegedly broadcasted and circulated false narratives claiming that MP Rao Inderjit Singh had entered into a second marriage.

Furthermore, they made unsubstantiated assertions about the MP owning extensive properties in foreign countries. These allegations, deemed entirely fictitious by the complainant, appear to be part of a calculated effort to discredit him in the public eye.

Ved Prakash stated that despite repeated requests made to the channels to remove the offending content and cease the spread of misinformation, the videos continued to circulate.

This persistent refusal to comply with requests to take down the defamatory material ultimately led to the decision to pursue legal recourse, emphasizing the need for stricter accountability in the digital media landscape.

The Gurugram police have confirmed the registration of the FIR and have launched a thorough investigation into the matter.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the increasing challenges posed by fake news, particularly when it targets public figures, and signals a growing resolve by authorities to combat online defamation. It highlights the critical importance of journalistic integrity and ethical reporting in the digital age, where misinformation can spread rapidly and have severe real-world consequences.