Tensions flared in Hoshiarpur on Saturday after the Cyber Cell arrested Rajendra Parmar, the personal assistant of former Congress Cabinet Minister Sunder Shyam Arora, for allegedly creating and operating a fake social media ID to target political leaders. Parmar was accused of posting objectionable photos and comments aimed at AAP MLA Brahm Shankar Jimpa, Mayor Surinder Kumar, complainant Dheeraj Sharma, and several of their associates.
According to police, Parmar used the fake identity “Raja Thakur” to upload defamatory and misleading posts. A case was registered following a complaint by Dheeraj Sharma of Hari Nagar, prompting an immediate investigation by the Cyber Cell. Police confirmed that Parmar had been running fake IDs, including accounts named “Raja Thakur” and “Garhwal Vijay,” to circulate manipulated content against various leaders and individuals.
The controversy intensified when Congress workers gathered outside the Cyber Cell office, alleging “high-handedness” by the police and claiming that officers had shut the gates while the operation continued inside. Police sources revealed that an earlier complaint filed on 10 October last year had also mentioned these fake IDs being used to target the family of Rajeshwar Dayal Babli, brother of a JJP MLA, and several acquaintances.
Authorities registered a case under multiple serious IPC and IT Act sections, including 338, 336(3), 336(4), 340(2), 356(2), 351(2), 61(2), 66(C), and 66(D). Officials confirmed that Parmar’s arrest marks the first major breakthrough in the investigation, and further proceedings are now underway to identify additional individuals linked to the fake social media accounts.
