Ex-TN top cop faces charges for spreading false claims against Stalin

A case has been registered against the former Tamil Nadu Director General of Police (DGP) R Nataraj for sharing false claims about the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government and Chief Minister MK Stalin on social media platforms. The Trichy Cyber Crime cell has registered the case based on a complaint filed by a DMK functionary. In a WhatsApp group, Nataraj had shared a fake news card purportedly from a Tamil news channel. The post included a false quote alongside a picture of MK Stalin, claiming, “DMK has not stooped to a situation where it requires the votes of Hindus to win in elections”. According to the complainant, the former police officer also shared another fake post claiming that over the last two years, more than 1,000 temples in the state were demolished with the support of the police. The complainant stated that these posts were shared with the motive of defaming the Tamil Nadu government and police, potentially inciting law-and-order issues. Based on the complaint, the case was registered under Sections 153 (A) (promoting enmity between different groups), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), 505 (1) (b), 505 (1) (C), 505 (2) (statements conducing public mischief) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 66 (D) of the Information Technology Act, 200).