Surat influencer taken into custody after posting a Gandhi‑inspired Instagram reel
Police from the city’s Cyber Crime Branch seized a 47‑year‑old Instagram creator from the Adajan area of Surat after a short video she uploaded on October 1 attracted official criticism. The clip, released a few days before Gandhi Jayanti, displayed Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait as it appears on a ₹500 note and was accompanied by gestures and captions that authorities interpreted as disrespectful.
Identified as Simran Patel, she describes herself as a homemaker but boasts a following of nearly one million users. According to police, a formal complaint set off a digital forensics sweep that linked the offending reel to her account, leading to her arrest.
Charges filed under the Information Technology Act
Investigators lodged a case under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, which penalises the publishing or transmission of obscene material in electronic form. After verifying the content’s nature, the cyber‑crime team formally booked Patel and placed her behind bars.
The move highlights how Indian authorities are increasingly invoking cyber statutes to curb speech deemed offensive toward national symbols.
Officials caution about tighter social‑media etiquette
The branch issued a wide‑ranging advisory urging internet users to fact‑check before sharing and to refrain from using religious, cultural or historic icons in ways that could trigger legal repercussions. Citizens are encouraged to report doubtful material to the relevant agencies instead of amplifying it.
The probe remains ongoing as investigators continue to scrutinise the creation and distribution of the reel.
