Mumbai: Two teens held for posting clip about Pak Independence Day

The post included the messages ‘Happy Independence Day Pakistan’ and ‘Pakistan Zindabad!’ and a Pakistani flag. Representation pic

The Colaba police have arrested two 19-year-old youths for allegedly posting a video on Pakistan's Independence Day on Instagram on August 14. The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the Colaba police have questioned both the boys and the video in question has been deleted. "The teens had not made the video, they just posted it. We arrested them as a preventive measure," said Pravin Munde DCP, Zone 1. According to the police, a Colaba resident had approached the police station and drew their attention to the video. Subsequently, the police started to investigate the matter.

The Colaba police and the ATS visited Colaba market and questioned several people before finding out that the teens had posted the video. According to the police's remand application, the police had found the video on the accused's mobile phones. "The video was posted a day before Independence Day and hence it could have led to religious tensions," the police said in their remand application.

The accused have been booked under Section 151 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). They were produced in court and were released on Tuesday after a thorough investigation. According to sources, the boys are neighbours and college-going students, and one of them is pursuing a degree in hotel management while the other is a BCom aspirant.

Arrests under Section 151 of the CrPC are to prevent the commission of cognisable offences. Under Sub-Section (1) of this law, no person arrested shall be detained in custody for a period exceeding twenty-four hours from the time of his arrest unless his further detention is required or authorised under any other provisions of the CrPC or of any other law for the time being in force.

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A relative of one of the teens told mid-day, "This wasn't done with any ill intentions. It happened by mistake and the video was removed later. He received it on his Instagram page from a minor friend. The post included the messages ‘Happy Independence Day Pakistan' and ‘Pakistan Zindabad!' and a Pakistani flag. Subsequently, police officers visited our location, took my son into custody and interrogated him. He has now been released."

The relative added, "We've consulted our local priest and advised them against engaging in such actions. We must remember that we live in India, which is our country. Unfortunately, social media is being exploited to target Indian Muslims."

19
Age of both accused

With inputs from Faizan Khan