Hyderabad: The Telangana Congress on Tuesday raised an alarm over the circulation of fabricated political clippings on social media ahead of the Jubilee Hills Assembly bypoll. The party alleged that the fake news was aimed at misleading voters and provoking communal disharmony.
Following a complaint by TPCC spokesperson Syed Nizamuddin, the Hyderabad City Cybercrime Police registered a criminal case under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The complaint highlighted that clippings falsely attributed communal remarks to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and other Congress leaders.
According to the FIR (No. 1948/2025), the misleading content was spread across Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). Multiple user accounts and groups reportedly participated in disseminating the false information. Nizamuddin warned that such content could influence young voters and deepen mistrust between communities.
The police registered the case at the Cybercrime Police Station in Basheerbagh under Sections 353(2), 352, and 336(4) of the BNS. Sub-Inspector T. Vinay Kumar has been appointed as the investigating officer. Officials confirmed that a technical investigation is underway to identify those involved in creating and distributing the fabricated videos and messages.
Cybercrime police probe fake news Jubilee Hills case
Nizamuddin told reporters that the Congress welcomed the prompt action taken by Hyderabad Police. He also announced that the party would take legal action against any individual or political group found spreading false or communal content during the election period.
“The circulation of doctored videos and communal lies is a deliberate tactic to sway voters,” he said. “It endangers public harmony and undermines the democratic process.”
The TPCC spokesperson also appealed to the public to remain alert and refrain from sharing unverified content. He urged citizens to report suspicious or inflammatory materials to authorities.
A fabricated clip that falsely suggested communal statements by Revanth Reddy was among the materials flagged in the complaint. According to Nizamuddin, such content was specifically designed to damage the Congress’s electoral prospects by manipulating public sentiment.
He claimed that the Bharatiya Rashtra Samithi (BRS), fearing electoral defeat, had turned to fake news campaigns to regain influence. The Congress, he said, was closely monitoring these activities and would ensure accountability through legal routes.
“These fake clippings are meant to divide communities and damage public trust. We appeal to everyone to maintain peace and not fall prey to misinformation,” Nizamuddin said.
