Punjab Police FIR Against 35 Social Media Accounts in India and Canada Triggers Row; Journalists and Consultants Among Those Named
Babushahi Network
Chandigarh, October 17, 2026: The registration of a case by the Punjab Police cybercrime cell against 35 social media accounts linked to Punjab and Canada has triggered a controversy, bringing online allegations, reputational disputes and freedom of expression into focus.
The case, registered as FIR No. 29 on October 13 at the Cyber Crime Police Station in Sector 79, SAS Nagar (Mohali), concerns social media posts and videos allegedly targeting a Mohali-based business group involved in real estate and educational institutions.
According to a report published by The Tribune on October 16, the accounts include those associated with Punjabi and Canadian journalists and immigration consultants. The complainant has alleged that unverified content was circulated on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and other platforms with the intention of damaging the group's reputation.
Complaint alleges a campaign to damage reputation
The complaint was filed by advocate Paras Sharma, representing GB Realty Group. The firm is involved in real estate development in Punjab and has interests in projects in Mohali and New Chandigarh.
In his complaint, Sharma reportedly alleged that certain social media posts, videos and comments spread rumours about the group's managing director and the company, linking the business to alleged fraud in Canada. He termed these allegations false and baseless and sought action against the accounts involved.
The complainant also reportedly submitted URLs of the content in question and requested that the material be removed and the relevant accounts blocked.
These allegations form the basis of the complaint and have not, by themselves, established that the disputed content was false or that the account holders committed an offence.
Legal provisions invoked
According to The Tribune, the FIR invokes Section 356(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 66 of the Information Technology Act.
The case places the focus on the legal distinction between publishing potentially defamatory material and making allegations in the public interest. The circumstances in which the posts were published, the evidence supporting them and the intentions of the account holders would be relevant to determining the merits of the allegations.
The registration of an FIR does not amount to a finding of guilt. The allegations will have to be examined through the investigation and any subsequent legal proceedings.
Reactions from Canadian media personnel
The police action has reportedly drawn sharp reactions from some Canadian media personnel, who have criticised the Punjab Police and allegedly used abusive language against the department.
The controversy has attracted attention because the case involves accounts operating across international borders, including those reportedly linked to journalists and immigration consultants.
However, the precise statements made by the individuals concerned, their responses to the FIR and their explanations for publishing the disputed material would need to be obtained before their positions can be reported in detail.
Questions over social media accountability
The case highlights the challenges faced by authorities and individuals when disputes spill over onto social media platforms. Videos, comments and posts can circulate rapidly across countries, while determining the authenticity of claims and identifying those responsible may require examination of digital records.
At the same time, allegations involving businesses and public-facing individuals can be matters of legitimate public interest. Any investigation must therefore distinguish between demonstrably false claims, good-faith reporting, opinion and criticism.
The FIR has brought these competing concerns into focus, particularly because the accounts reportedly include media personnel and consultants based in both India and Canada.