Pune Police have arrested a key social media functionary of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Chandra Pawar) faction for allegedly posting a morphed photograph of the Maharashtra Chief Minister and content deemed supportive of Naxal ideologies. The arrest, which took place on Thursday evening, has led to the individual being remanded to police custody for six days.
The Chenab Times has learned that the arrested individual held the position of state head for the social media wing of the NCP (SP). The court remanded him to police custody for six days on Friday, following his apprehension. This development highlights a growing trend of legal action against individuals for their online activities, particularly concerning political figures and sensitive ideologies.
While the exact details of the morphed photograph and the specific pro-Naxal content have not been fully disclosed, past incidents in Maharashtra involving social media posts have led to significant legal repercussions. In September 2021, a man in Pune was arrested for posting defamatory content against the then Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and other prominent political leaders. Similarly, in June 2023, an IT professional from Pune was arrested for allegedly issuing a death threat to NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Facebook, underscoring the sensitivity surrounding online political discourse in the state.
This arrest also comes in the context of political maneuvering within Maharashtra. In May 2021, the cyber cell of Pune police booked two NCP youth leaders for allegedly morphing pictures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. More recently, in March 2026, a controversy erupted within the NCP over a poster at a party event that omitted photographs of key leaders, indicating ongoing internal party dynamics and sensitivities.
The legal action against the NCP (SP) social media chief is likely to intensify scrutiny on the online content disseminated by political parties and their functionaries. The investigation aims to ascertain the full extent of the alleged offenses and any potential co-conspirators. Authorities are expected to examine the digital footprint of the arrested individual to gather further evidence.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
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