Indian activist sued for misinformation over Islamic rally in Bangladesh
The Kolkata Police's Information Technology (IT) unit has started an investigation into the matter
Kolkata Police on 9 November filed a case against Indian activist Madhu Purnima Kishwar for tweeting the video of an Islamic rally in Bangladesh, claiming that it was held in Kolkata.
A senior officer of the Kolkata Police said that the song in the video and several flags of Bangladesh clearly refer that the rally was held in that country, reports The New Indian Express.
"But, the person who shared the video on social media said it to be Kolkata. This is absolutely incorrect and misleading, posing a threat to the law and order here," he added.
The Kolkata Police's Information Technology (IT) unit has started an investigation into the matter based on the FIR lodged against Kishwar, the officer said.
Marking Kishwar's tweet as fake, the city police said on social media: "#FakeNewsAlert A video clip from Bangladesh is being falsely claimed to be from Kolkata. Legal action initiated."
However, the activist, who has a verified Twitter with over 20 lakh followers, then deleted the clip and apologised, stating that the video was sent to her by "an otherwise reliable friend".
"Dear @KolkataPolice, I have never knowingly indulged in spreading fake news. I deleted it the moment a friend called & alerted me. This video was sent to me by an otherwise reliable friend. My sincere apologies for having forwarded it, mistaking procession in Dacca for Kolkatta," she tweeted.