Gujarat: Man held for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through social media post

Ahmedabad, April 20 The Ahmedabad Crime Branch has arrested a 31-year-old man from Surendranagar district within hours of a social media post on X that allegedly hurt the sentiments of the Brahmin community and posed a risk to public peace, officials said on Monday.

The accused, identified as Hasmukh alias Nikhil Chavda, is a resident of Housing Board Society near the Police Line in Thangadh of Surendranagar district.

According to police, the action followed the detection of a post on April 19 by a user named Nikhil Chavda that contained objectionable remarks targeting the Brahmin community.

The Crime Branch’s technical department, which monitors social media for content capable of creating enmity between groups, spreading hatred or hurting communal sentiments, initiated an inquiry.

Using technical analysis and human intelligence, the team traced and apprehended the accused within a few hours, officials said.

A case has been registered at the Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) Police Station under Section 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

Police said a mobile phone valued at Rs 10,000 has been seized as evidence.

The arrest followed multiple reactions on social media both before and after the police action.

A post addressing Gujarat Police had earlier read: “Hello @GujaratPolice. His name is Nikhil Chavda, he lives in Gujarat, he is insulting our Bhagwan Parshuram and trying to do riots in peaceful Gujarat, arrest him before it’s too late.”

Following the arrest, a user posted, “Nikhil Chavda, who mocked Bhagwan Parshuram yesterday, has now been arrested. Reports say strict action is being taken by Ahmedabad Police. This should serve as a reminder... freedom of expression doesn’t mean disrespecting faith and beliefs.”

Another user claimed, “Nikhil Chavda was arrested in Gujarat for sharing blasphemous memes on Bhagwan Parshuram. He was doing this for last 3–4 years and we highlighted it almost on every occasion.”

Another post read, “Thank you @HarshSanghavi for your strong support and swift action in taking down such anti-social elements.”

Police records indicate that the accused has prior cases registered against him.

These include an offence at Thangadh Police Station in 2022 under Sections 354, 452, 504 and 506(2) of the Indian Penal Code; another case at the same police station under Sections 66(1)(B) and 85 of the Prohibition Act; and a case at Vadaj Police Station under Sections 66(1)(B) and 85(1) of the Prohibition Act along with Sections 110 and 117 of the Gujarat Police Act.

Officials said monitoring of social media platforms will continue, adding that legal action will be taken against individuals posting content that could incite hatred, create division or disturb law and order.

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