Surat influencer taken into custody over Gandhi‑themed Instagram clip
A 47‑year‑old Instagram personality from the Adajan area of Surat was seized by the city’s Cyber Crime Branch after a short video she posted on October 1 sparked official outrage. The clip, uploaded a few days ahead of Gandhi Jayanti, displayed Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait as it appears on the ₹500 banknote and was accompanied by gestures and commentary that authorities deemed disrespectful.
Identified as Simran Patel, she describes herself as a homemaker yet commands close to one million followers on the platform. Police say a formal complaint set off a technical investigation that traced the offending post back to her account, leading to her arrest.
Charges filed under the Information Technology Act
Investigators lodged a complaint under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, which criminalises the creation or transmission of obscene material in electronic form. After verifying the content, the cyber‑crime team formally booked Patel and placed her in custody.
The filing highlights how India’s digital statutes are increasingly invoked to police content perceived as insulting to national icons.
Officials caution on future social‑media behaviour
The branch issued a sweeping advisory urging internet users to fact‑check before sharing and to refrain from using religious, cultural or historic symbols in ways that could invite legal repercussions. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious material to the appropriate authorities rather than amplifying it.
The probe remains open as police continue to examine the creation, dissemination and intent behind the controversial reel.
