Four Social Media Influencers Booked in Nagpur Over Ethanol Policy Misinformation

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Nagpur: The Nagpur Cyber Police have registered a case against four social media influencers, including a YouTuber from Bihar, for allegedly spreading misleading information about the Central Government’s ethanol blending policy and falsely linking it to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari.

The accused have been identified as Manish Kashyap, Desi Boyser, Harshit Rathi and Anklesh Invate.

The case was registered following a complaint filed by Shishir Arun Tripathi (38), head of the Nagpur BJP Social Media Cell.

According to the complaint, the influencers uploaded videos on YouTube and Instagram during the ongoing public discussion on the 20% ethanol blending with petrol. The videos allegedly promoted illegal and fraudulent practices involving ethanol use in vehicles, explained methods to carry out fake transactions, and encouraged activities that violate the law.

The complaint further alleged that the videos misrepresented the Government’s ethanol policy, falsely associated it with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, and used misleading public interviews in an attempt to defame him and create confusion among viewers.

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Police clarified that Nitin Gadkari has no direct connection with the alleged offence and that his name was only mentioned in the content circulated by the influencers.

Following a preliminary inquiry, the Cyber Police said they found prima facie evidence of misleading and unlawful content being circulated online. Based on these findings, an FIR has been registered against the four accused, and further investigation is underway.

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