Youth Congress Files FIR Against BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya and Arnab Goswami for Allegedly Spreading False Information

The Indian Youth Congress has filed an FIR against BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya and Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami, accusing them of masterminding a criminal campaign to spread false information. Full report here.

New Delhi, May 21, 2025 – The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) has taken a serious legal step by filing an FIR against Amit Malviya, the chief of the BJP IT Cell, and Arnab Goswami, Editor-in-Chief of Republic TV. The complaint accuses both individuals of orchestrating a “heinous and criminally motivated campaign” aimed at misleading the Indian public through the spread of fabricated and defamatory content.

The FIR, registered at the High Grounds police station, comes following a formal complaint lodged by Shrikant Swaroop B N, the head of the legal cell of the IYC. The case has been filed under Sections 192 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot) and 352 (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Allegations of Spreading Fake News

At the heart of the controversy is the allegation that Malviya and Goswami falsely portrayed the Istanbul Congress Centre in Turkiye as the foreign office of the Indian National Congress (INC). According to Swaroop, this claim is “baseless, fabricated, and maliciously constructed to mislead the Indian public.”

He further stated,

“This act was executed with clear and undeniable criminal intent to deceive the Indian public, defame a major political institution, manipulate nationalist sentiments, incite public unrest, and undermine national security and democratic integrity.”

Political and Diplomatic Sensitivity

The complaint also highlights the sensitive geopolitical context in which this misinformation was allegedly spread. India’s strained diplomatic relations with Turkiye, partly due to the latter’s perceived support for Pakistan, serve as a volatile backdrop to the case. Swaroop emphasized that the deliberate attempt to link the INC to a foreign entity during such a tense period constitutes a threat to national security and democratic values.

He added,

“The actions of Malviya and Goswami represent an unprecedented attack on India’s democratic foundations, public safety, and national security. Their calculated misuse of influence to spread falsehoods with criminal intent demands the harshest response.”

Call for Immediate Action

Beyond the police complaint, Swaroop has appealed to multiple authorities including:

• The Press Council of India
• The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
• The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
• Other relevant law enforcement agencies

He urged these institutions to treat the matter as an emergency and take prompt action to curb the spread of disinformation and ensure accountability.

No Official Response Yet

As of the time of publishing, neither Amit Malviya nor Arnab Goswami has issued an official statement in response to the FIR. Republic TV has also remained silent on the matter.

This development marks yet another flashpoint in the escalating tensions between political parties in India over the use of media and digital platforms for narrative warfare. As the legal process unfolds, all eyes will be on the investigative agencies and regulatory bodies to see how they handle this explosive allegation.