#AppleExecutiveKilling: FIR lodged over social media posts favoring constables
What's the story
Taking note of objectionable social media posts in favor of constables allegedly involved in the killing of an Apple executive in Lucknow last week, an FIR has been registered against unnamed people, while a constable in Raebareli has been suspended in a similar matter, police said today.
The FIR has been registered against unnamed persons under the Police (Incitement to Disaffection) Act.
Here's more.
Information
Sympathizers launch campaign favoring accused, seek donations for them
After the arrest of two constables, Prashant Chowdhury and Sandeep Kumar, in the killing of Vivek Tiwari on September 29, some people claiming themselves to be their batchmates and sympathizers have launched a campaign on social media in their favor and sought donations for accused.
Police Act
Police Act has provision of maximum punishment of six months
"An FIR has been registered at Hazratganj police station here (Lucknow) on Thursday against unnamed people under Police (Incitement to Disaffection) Act," an official said.
The Act has a provision of maximum punishment of six-months against whosoever intentionally causes or attempts to cause or does any act which he knows is likely to cause disaffection towards the government or among members of police force.
Who?
Constables terminated from service involved in spreading rumors: Police
"Rumours are being spread on social media... We've taken the matter seriously and surveillance is going on to track such people. It has come to the fore that some constables terminated from service are involved in it," the DIG said.
He said in one such matter, an FIR has been registered against one Sarvesh Chowdhury, and the constable has since been suspended.
Claim
Sarvesh claimed that he had been collecting money for Prashant
The DIG said that Sarvesh had released an 11-minute video in which he purportedly claims that he had offered and had been collecting money for Prashant and also took swipes at political leaders and top police officials.
Clarifying the situation, the DIG said, "Some people posing as policemen and anti-social elements are involved in it. We will take strict action."
Details
Tell constables why their colleagues were arrested: DGP to officers
About reports that constables were collecting money to help their arrested colleagues and other such items flooded the social media, DGP OP Singh said, "We've alerted our officers, and a close watch is being kept on social media."
"The officers have been asked to interact with constables and tell them about the incident and explain the circumstances under which they were arrested," he added.
Incident
Vivek Tiwari was shot dead on September 29
Apple sales executive Vivek Tiwari was shot dead early on September 29 by a policeman when he allegedly refused to stop his car for checking in Lucknow's posh Gomti Nagar neighborhood.
Two constables, Prashant Chowdhury and Sandeep Kumar, were arrested after an FIR was lodged on basis of a complaint by Tiwari's colleague Sana Khan, who was traveling with him on that day.