Maharashtra’s cyber police have filed a case against well-known YouTuber Dhruv Rathee after a parody account allegedly posted a false message regarding Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s daughter, according to a senior official on Saturday.
According to the state cyber department, the account @dhruvrahtee falsely alleged that Birla’s daughter had cleared the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam without actually appearing for it.
The parody account’s bio on X reads, “This is the fan and parody account and not affiliated with the original account of @dhruv_rathee. Not impersonating anyone. This account is Parody.”
Based on a complaint from a relative of Birla, the police have charged the YouTuber under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for defamation, intentional insult aimed at provoking breach of peace, and making a statement likely to cause mischief. Additionally, charges under the IT Act have been filed, according to the official.
Regarding the fact that the alleged false message was posted by a parody account and not directly by Rathee himself, the official stated, “We are investigating the matter.”
The parody account posted on X on Saturday, “As directed by @MahaCyber1, I have deleted all my posts and comments on Anjali Birla, I will like to apologize as I was unaware about the facts and copied someone else’ tweets and shared it.”
Earlier this year, Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal stated that she received threats of rape and death after Rathee’s video regarding the alleged assault on her involving Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s aide, Bibhav Kumar.
Taking to X, Rathee expressed that multiple efforts had been made to tarnish his reputation, stating that “perpetrators are pretending to be victims.” He remarked, “Fake allegations against me, daily death threats, dehumanizing insults, coordinated campaigns to defame me … I’m used to it by now.”