Latest news with #Ropar-based
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Punjab cops ready dossier on controversial influencers
Chandigarh: Following the murder of social media influencer Kanchan Kumari, popularly known as Kamal Kaur 'Bhabhi', by a self-styled vigilante group led by nihang Amritpal Singh Mehron on June 9, Punjab Police have initiated a crackdown on controversial online influencers. The incident has brought renewed focus on the growing influence — and perceived threat — of certain digital content creators. According to senior officials from the intelligence wing, police are now scrutinising several popular social media accounts alleged to be promoting vulgar content, double-meaning language, or posts that may disturb public order. 'Using human intelligence, we are identifying such accounts and will begin the process of removing objectionable content,' said an official of the intelligence wing requesting anonymity. The cyber cell of Punjab Police has already flagged nearly 100 controversial posts to respective platforms for removal under the IT Act. Many of these include videos and statements from self-styled influencers who have gained notoriety for provocative content, the official said. The case has also led to increased threats against other influencers. Deepika Luthra and Simarjeet Kaur — known online as 'Preet Jatti' — have reportedly received threats from extremist elements. Luthra was specifically threatened by Babbar Khalsa International and has since been provided security by Punjab Police. She deactivated her Instagram account on Tuesday. In a related development, Jasbir Singh, a Ropar-based YouTuber running the channel 'Jaan Mahal', was arrested for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Pakistani handlers. He is accused of links with Haryana-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra and expelled Pakistani diplomat Ehsan-ur-Rahim, having visited Pakistan three times in the past five years. In Jalandhar, a grenade was hurled outside the residence of influencer Rozer Sandhu in Maqsudan. The attack was claimed by Pakistani gangster Shahzad Bhatti, who said it was in response to alleged derogatory remarks made against Islam by the YouTuber. With hardliner factions increasingly clashing with digital personalities, Punjab Police is now treating the monitoring of social media as a matter of internal security, and more action is expected in the coming weeks. 'Free for all on social media' The cyber cell wing of Punjab Police monitors the activities of social media influencers only after receiving formal complaints, said a senior official. Additional director general of police (ADGP), cyber cell, V Neerja said: 'We come into the picture whenever the local police forward a complaint to us. The head of the cyber cell is authorised to take up the matter with the platform where the controversial post has been made.' She added that the state government, through the cyber cell, reports objectionable posts to platforms like YouTube, Facebook and Instagram for removal. If these platforms fail to act, legal provisions under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act come into force. Section 79 generally grants a 'safe harbour' to intermediaries, protecting them from liability for user-generated content. However, Section 79(3)(b) removes this protection if an intermediary, after receiving actual knowledge or government notification about unlawful content, fails to remove or disable access to it promptly without tampering with evidence. Further, Section 67A of the IT Act can be invoked if platforms ignore government requests, leading to intervention by the ministry of electronics and information technology, according to a senior cyber cell official. The official also noted that despite Kamal Kaur's large following — around 4,50,000 on Instagram and a similar number on Facebook — no complaints were ever filed with the police about objectionable content on her accounts. 'Ironically, after her murder, her social media followers increased by around 50,000,' the official said. Over the past two years, Punjab Police's cyber cell has facilitated the removal of approximately 8,000 objectionable posts from various social media platforms.
Indian Express
05-06-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Trapping social media influencers: ISI's strategy to weave an espionage-cum-propaganda network
Investigations into Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) latest modus operandi of espionage have revealed a concentrated effort to invite, entice, and then co-opt social media influencers through a variety of lures to build a web of informers among the community. Speaking to The Indian Express, a senior official said the cases of Hisar-based YouTube channel operator Jyoti Malhotra and Ropar-based Jasbir Singh, who also ran a YouTube channel, are not isolated, and are part of a well-planned operation by ISI to increase its reach through the twin aims of collecting information and spreading propaganda. Central intelligence agencies and the Punjab Police have been unravelling the spy network which was cultivated by several officials based in the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. Two staff members of the High Commission have already been thrown out of India after the government declared them persona non grata. 'ISI has been using a variety of tools to reach out to social media influencers not only in Punjab but across the country in order to weave an espionage-cum-propaganda network, which works out in favour of Pakistan. The first step is to invite the influencers of various platforms like YouTube, Instagram, X, Snapchat, etc, to the get-togethers of the Pakistan High Commission, and then offer them visas to visit Pakistan,' the official said. Once the influencer travels to Pakistan, the next step of the operation kicks in, under which enticements may be offered by way of cash and kind, including the honeytrap method, which would be used to coerce them into doing their bidding. 'It is a slow process, and often multiple visits are encouraged to Pakistan, and the confidence level in ISI operatives who are working under cover is gradually built up. When the target knowingly or unknowingly makes a false step and falls into their clutches, they close the trap, making it difficult for the influencer to back out,' the official said. Pakistan's efforts to entice Indian YouTube channel operators for espionage stem from a combination of strategic, geopolitical, and tactical motives. Leveraging social media influence for soft power and propaganda is boosted by the reach and credibility. YouTubers, especially those with large followings (Jasbir Singh with 1.1 million subscribers and Jyoti Malhotra with 377,000–381,000 subscribers), have significant online influence. Their content can shape public perceptions, making them valuable for projecting pro-Pakistan narratives or countering anti-Pakistan sentiment in India, say investigators. By encouraging influencers to create content like 'Indian Girl in Pakistan', as seen in the case of Jyoti Malhotra, Pakistan aims to portray a positive image, potentially softening public opinion in India or globally. This aligns with 'soft power' strategies to influence narratives subtly while gathering intelligence. Influencers can also play a vital role in covert operations as they are less likely to arouse suspicion compared to traditional spies, as their travel vlogs and cultural exchanges appear innocuous, providing a cover for espionage activities. ISI has also been found to be exploiting the financial vulnerabilities of influencers, as most YouTubers rely on views, sponsorships, or external funding. Pakistani operatives offer financial rewards, sponsored trips (like Malhotra's visits to Pakistan in 2023), or other incentives to lure influencers, exploiting their need for content and revenue. Intelligence officials say that in the wake of Operation Sindoor and heightened India-Pakistan tensions, ISI likely seeks real-time intelligence on Indian military movements, cantonment details, and strategic operations, especially in border states like Punjab. 'Punjab's proximity to the India-Pakistan border makes it a focal point for espionage. YouTubers travelling in these regions can inadvertently or deliberately gather and share information about troop deployments, infrastructure, or security arrangements, which can be vital to the enemy who wants to collect granular data,' another official said.
