Cyber Wing arrests man for offensive Facebook post against CM
Bengaluru Police on Friday arrested Vasanth Kumar, a 40-year-old retired soldier from Sakaleshpura in Hassan district, for posting an objectionable message against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Facebook. The arrest was carried out by the Cyber Wing of the Central Crime Branch (CCB).
After retiring from the army, Kumar turned to agriculture in his native village. According to police, he had posted abusive content on his Facebook page, ‘Hanuma Bhakta’, reacting to CM Siddaramaiah’s question to President Droupadi Murmu at a recent event in Mysuru, where the Chief Minister asked if she knew the Kannada language. In response, Kumar allegedly used offensive language against the Chief Minister.
The police registered a suo motu case and acted promptly to arrest him. This incident follows similar cases earlier this year. On August 30, the Kengeri Police arrested an assistant temple priest over an abusive post targeting the Chief Minister related to the Mysuru Dussehra row; he was dismissed shortly afterward. On May 6, a Mysuru Central Jail warder, Madhu Kumar, was suspended after being arrested for recording and sharing an abusive video against Siddaramaiah on social media.
The Bengaluru West Division Congress Committeee had lodged a complaint after the recent video went viral, prompting police action. Officials emphasized that social media posts targeting public figures with abusive language will be treated seriously and addressed under the law. This arrest highlights the increasing scrutiny of online conduct and the authorities’ commitment to maintaining law and order, even in cases involving retired personnel.
