Social media crimes, including hate messages, threats, up 21% in Bengaluru: Report
Bengaluru: Crimes on social media, including sending hate messages, issuing threats, and spreading content that disturbs communal harmony, are on the rise in Bengaluru, according to recent data.
In the first nine months of 2025 alone, police registered 953 cases — a 21% rise from 2024 and a 51% increase over 2023, according to data cited by Deccan Herald on Monday.
In response to the growing threat, police have taken down over 300 such posts and blocked more than 50 social media accounts this year.
Senior police officials said the department is closely monitoring social media posts that could harm social order and is registering cases to curb such behaviour.
“Our officials keep a close watch and even register suo motu cases against people who post content that could disturb the society. Immediate action is also taken against derogatory posts and posts that disturb communal harmony,” DH quoted M.A. Saleem, Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG&IGP), as saying.
Officials raised concern over the growing number of young victims. A senior officer said many youngsters feel pressured to perform on social media, often interacting with strangers, which sometimes leads to fraud or exploitation. "Young people want to get more likes, more followers and in the process interact with unknown people and get conned,” the officer said, urging youth to be more cautious online.
The misuse of photos, especially those shared by young women, was also flagged as a growing problem. In several cases, such images have been exploited, leading to blackmail, with victims being forced to pay money to have the content removed from the internet.
Despite the increasing number of such crimes, investigating them remains a major challenge for the police. Officials said collecting strong evidence and tracking anonymous accounts is often difficult.
Adding to the problem, many social media platforms are slow to respond to police requests. “Most of the handles are anonymous. Then we will have to get in touch with the social media platforms and service providers. These companies are not very responsive and this delays the whole process,” DH quoted a senior officer as saying.
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CJI Surya Kant clarifies 'parasites' remarks, says 'pained' over media reports
New Delhi (PTI): Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Saturday issued a strongly worded clarification on his 'parasites' remarks, saying he was "pained" by media reports that suggested he criticised youth.
"I am pained to read how a section of the media has misquoted my oral observations made during the hearing of a frivolous case yesterday," the CJI said in a statement.
Kant emphasised that his remarks were specifically directed at individuals entering the legal profession through "fake and bogus degrees" and were "misquoted by a section of the media."
The clarification follows a controversy during a hearing on Friday, when the CJI used words like "parasites" and "cockroaches" while pulling up a lawyer for his plea seeking senior designation.
"What I had specifically criticised were those who have entered professions like the Bar (legal profession) with the aid of fake and bogus degrees. Similar persons have sneaked into the media, social media, and other noble professions as well, and hence, they are like parasites.
"It is totally baseless to suggest that I criticised the youth of our nation. Not only am I proud of our present and future human resource, but every youth of India inspires me. It is not an exaggeration to say that Indian youth have great regard and respect for me, and I too see them as the pillars of a developed India," the chief justice said about his remarks.
