Mojo Story, seven other Twitter handles booked over 'fake news'
What's the story
An FIR has been lodged against eight Twitter handles for allegedly propagating fake news in connection with the death of two Dalit girls in Unnao, last week, police said on Monday. The handles include news portal Mojo Story, led by senior journalist Barkha Dutt who termed the FIR a case of brazen "harassment and bullying," and expressed suspicion at police, clubbing them with politicians.
Details
Other Twitter accounts named in the FIR
The case was registered at the Sadar Kotwali Police station area in Unnao on Sunday against seven more Twitter accounts: Janjagran Live, Aazad Samaj Party spokesperson Suraj Kumar Boudh, Nilim Dutta, Vijay Ambedkar, Abhay Kumar Azad, Rahul Diwakar, Nawab Satpal Tanwar. The FIR has been lodged for propagating "fake and misleading news" regarding the incident, Assistant Superintendent of Police Vinod Kumar Pandey informed.
Reaction
Ready to face it in court, says Barkha Dutt
Reacting to the FIR, Dutt said, "We've followed journalistic principles by reporting all sides of an evolving story. To use IPC sections that are punishable with prison is pure intimidation. I am ready to fight it and face it in court." Mojo Story's editor alleged that police refused to give a copy of the FIR without which one cannot appeal for judicial intervention.
Case background
Three minors had gone missing; were later found unconscious
The girls, 13, 16, and 17, and said to be cousins left home on Wednesday afternoon to bring fodder but never returned. After a search, their family found them lying unconscious in their own field. Locals had rushed them to a hospital where two of them were declared brought dead. The third girl is presently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Kanpur, police said.
Probe
Congress leader Udit Raj booked for allegedly propagating fake news
The last rites of the deceased girls were performed on Friday morning amid tight security arrangements. The Unnao Police has held two people in this connection, accusing them of murder over one-sided love. On Saturday, Congress leader Udit Raj was booked for allegedly propagating fake news in a tweet that the teenagers were raped and their bodies cremated against the will of their family.