Police Arrest Mastermind of Fake News Network in Chhindwara District

Akbar Ali, the alleged mastermind behind a fake news network named Haidari Dal, was arrested by police in Chhindwara. He is accused of inciting communal disharmony through inflammatory posts on social media.

The police have apprehended the person believed to be behind a social media network called Haidari Dal, which was accused of disseminating fake news and provocative posts to disrupt communal peace. According to the police, this arrest took place on Thursday.

Additional Superintendent of Police City Manush Parikh stated that several complaints had been filed against accounts under the name Haidari Dal Bareilly. These accounts were accused of trying to incite religious sentiments, posting inappropriate content about women, and disturbing public order.

Tracking the Accused

Despite previous actions taken against these accounts, they continued to resurface, spreading false information and inflammatory content. A new case was filed on September 3. With assistance from the cyber and surveillance cell, authorities traced the operator to Chhindwara district in Madhya Pradesh.

The individual arrested has been identified as Akbar Ali, son of Ikhlaq Hussain. Originally from Awajipur village in Uttar Pradesh's Fatehpur district, Ali currently resides in Patel Colony within Sausar police station limits in Madhya Pradesh, officials reported.

Confession and Social Media Activity

During questioning, Ali allegedly admitted to managing multiple accounts for spreading fake news. These included Haidari Dal Official with 35,000 followers, Team Haidari Dal with 1,350 followers, and Rashtriya TV with 144 followers.

Ali is said to have taken videos from other locations, edited them, and circulated them as new incidents to stir communal tensions. This method was reportedly used to manipulate public perception and create unrest.

The arrest highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to curb the spread of misinformation and maintain public harmony. Authorities continue to monitor such activities closely to prevent further disturbances.

With inputs from PTI