Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Mar 23: Goa police have registered multiple suo motu FIRs against individuals for allegedly posting objectionable content on social media, including indecent remarks, misleading material and posts that could disturb public peace.

Most of the FIRs have been filed against unidentified persons, with police constables attached to the social media monitoring cell acting as complainants.

In one case, a complaint was lodged over a Facebook reel featuring edited visuals of traditional folk performers presented in a satirical manner, along with references to the chief minister and scrapped projects such as Unity Mall and Prashasan Stambh. Police alleged the content was misleading and aimed at creating distrust against the government.

In another instance, a constable filed a complaint over a purported AI-generated video titled ‘Dabolim files’, which allegedly spread false information about the closure of Dabolim airport, with authorities claiming it could create confusion and harm public order.

Police also registered cases over abusive and obscene statements targeting political parties, indecent remarks against women, and inflammatory comments linked to the ‘Viva Portugal’ controversy, which has recently sparked debate in the state.

Separately, an FIR was filed against a French national for organising a yoga workshop at Arambol, with police alleging the promotional content contained sexually suggestive material presented as spiritual practices, potentially affecting public decency and Goa’s image as a tourist destination.

The individual has approached the high court seeking to quash the FIR. His counsel, advocate Siddharth Sardesai, criticised the action, stating that no public complaint had been filed despite the content being widely viewed, and termed the investigation arbitrary.

The developments have raised concerns over the scope of police action on social media content and its implications for free expression.