Assam: Suspended UPPL member's photo of sleeping with bundles of money stirs row
Kokrajhar (Assam), Mar 27: A viral picture purportedly of a suspended United People's Party Liberal's (UPPL) member sleeping with currency notes has triggered a controversy in Assam ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
In the image, the authenticity of which PTI could not independently verify, Benjamin Basumatary, identified in the photograph as a Village Council Development Committee (VCDC) member of UPPL, is seen sleeping on a bed wearing only a traditional towel with a heap of Rs 500 denomination notes.
Though Basumatary could not be contacted, sources close to him claimed the photo was an old one and deliberately made viral to gain "political mileage" during the elections.
The UPPL also sought to distance itself from the image, stating that Basumatary has been suspended and removed from the VCDC post.
UPPL chief and Bodoland Territorial Council Chief Executive Member Pramod Boro claimed that the Harisingha Block Committee of the party had recommended disciplinary action against Basumatary on January 5 this year and accordingly he was suspended on January 10 over the photograph.
"Additionally, the BTC Government suspended and removed him from the post of VCDC Chairman on 10th February, 2024. I urge all media outlets and social media users to refrain from linking Mr Basumatry with UPPL," he said in a post on X.
Boro further said that Basumatary's actions are solely his own responsibility and the party is not accountable for any of his personal acts.
🚨 Important Notice 🚨
— Pramod Boro (@PramodBoroBTR) March 27, 2024
A photo of Benjamin Basumatry is circulating widely on social media. We want to clarify that Mr. Basumatry is no longer associated with UPPL as he was suspended from the party on 10th January, 2024, and disciplinary action was taken against him after… pic.twitter.com/jpSeSHMynC
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Delhi Police registers case in connection with doctored videos of Home Minister Amit Shah
New Delhi, Apr 28: The Delhi Police registered a case on Sunday after a complaint by the Ministry of Home Affairs in connection with the doctored videos of Union Home Minister Amit Shah being circulated on social media platforms, officials said.
The Special Cell has registered an FIR under various sections of the IPC and relevant provision of the IT Act, they said. Sources in the Special Cell said that now arrests are likely to follow across the country.
According to the complaint filed by Sinku Sharan Singh, DC, Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), some doctored videos are being circulated on social media with "the intent of creating disharmony among communities which is likely to affect public tranquility and public order."
According to the complainant, links from which the videos were shared were also attached for further action.
A copy of the FIR was also sent to the IFSO unit of the Delhi Cyber Police.
