Police register 676 suo moto cases of a total of 2,019 cases filed for inappropriate posts on social media in Karnataka

The Home Minister pointed out that a separate vertical headed by a DGP has been set up to look at cyber crime, narcotics and economic offences, a first in India.

As many as 2,019 cases, including 676 suo moto cases taken up by the police, have been filed over spreading lies or communal hatred on social media in Karnataka since 2023.

On March 13, responding to a question from BJP member K.S. Naveen on action taken against social media users spreading lies and hatred, Home Minister G. Parameshwar told the Legislative Council that the government has taken various steps to prevent misuse of social media. This included use of fact checker app, creating desks in all police stations to monitor online media, individuals and organisations, he said, adding that a social media monitoring cell has been established in every police station.

As per data provided, while 238 cases and 373 cases were filed by the police suo moto in 2023 and 2024, respectively, 65 cases have been filed in 2025 so far. With respect to complaints received by police about social media posts, 640 cases and 618 cases have been filed in 2023 and 2024, respectively, and 85 cases in 2025.

The Home Minister pointed out that a separate vertical headed by a DGP has been set up to look at cyber crime, narcotics and economic offences, a first in India. “Besides the cases pertaining to social media posts, police are battling an average of 22,000 cases annually, and the number is going up.”