Mangaluru Police Launch Crackdown on Digital Hate: Five Arrested for Provocative Online Posts Targeting Communal Harmony
By Shylesh Investigative Journalist | June 7, 2025 | Mangaluru
MANGALURU, KARNATAKA — In a landmark digital crime crackdown, the Mangaluru City Police have arrested five individuals accused of spreading incendiary content via social media platforms, allegedly aimed at disrupting communal harmony in the sensitive coastal region of Dakshina Kannada.
Acting on high-level intelligence alerts and mounting online reports, law enforcement formed special investigation teams under the direction of Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy, IPS. The operation has led to the arrest of suspects across both local and international locations, highlighting the transnational nature of online hate dissemination.
Case-by-Case Breakdown of Arrests
1. Operation Jokerzzz: Arrest from Abroad
Suspect: Mohammad Aslam (23), Hejamady, Udupi District
Platform: Instagram account team_jokerzzz._
Location of Operation: Saudi Arabia
Charges: Sections 192 and 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
Case No.: Crime No. 88/2025, Mangaluru South Police
Using his Instagram platform from abroad, Aslam allegedly uploaded seditious and communally provocative material. A Lookout Circular (LOC) was issued, leading to his detention upon return. Police sources say his digital devices have been seized for forensic review.
2. SIM Swap & Surathkal Provocation Ring
Suspects: Chetan (20), Surathkal; Nithin Adapa (23), Haleangadi
Alias Used: Chennappa a.k.a Muthu Surathkal
Platform: Instagram team_karna_surathkal
Charges: Sections 196(1) and 353(2) of the BNS
Case No.: Crime No. 58/2025, Mangaluru North Police
The duo allegedly created a communal rift narrative using a SIM card registered under a different community's name. The usage of misleading identifiers is now central to the case. Investigators are analyzing links to possible planned incitement campaigns.
3. Beary Royal Nawab Case: Double FIRs, International Tracing
Suspect: Riyaaz Ibrahim (30), Farangipete, Mangaluru
Platform: Instagram Beary_royal_nawab
Base: Saudi Arabia
FIRs Filed At:
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Barke Police Station (Crime No. 44/2025 – Section 353(2))
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Mulki Police Station (Crime No. 42/2025 – Sections 353(1)(c), 353(2))
Ibrahim’s account reportedly shared multiple communal statements over time. Despite being abroad, digital footprints and metadata helped track his location and lead to arrest via coordinated international efforts.
4. Troll Account Triggers Legal Action
Suspect: Jamaal Zakir (21), Kuloor Post, Mangaluru
Platform: Instagram Troll_bengare_ro_makka
Charges: Sections 353(1)(c) and 353(2)
Case No.: Crime No. 44/2025, Mulki Police
Jamaal is accused of using trolling content as a vehicle for hate speech. Police say some of the memes and videos were timed around religious festivals and aimed at inflaming sentiments in coastal communities.
5. Facebook Post Sparks Final Arrest
Suspect: Guru Prasad, Kolavail, Haleangadi
Platform: Facebook Guru dprasad Haleyangadi
Charges: Sections 196(1)(A), 353(2), 79, and 56 of BNS
Case No.: Crime No. 53/2025, Mulki Police
Guru Prasad’s pattern of posting provocative commentaries, often couched in coded language and regional dialects, drew attention. His activity was flagged by the Central Crime Intelligence Wing which monitored rising digital tensions.
Who Led the Operation?
The coordinated arrests were directed under:
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Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy, IPS
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DCP Siddharth Goyal, IPS (Law & Order, Crime)
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DCP Ravishankar (Administration & Intelligence)
Investigation teams were formed from the Cyber Economic and Narcotics (CEN) Police Station, a specialized unit equipped with digital forensic tools.
Why This Crackdown Matters
Mangaluru, often seen as a flashpoint for religious polarization, has a history of both real-world and digital provocations. Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Telegram are increasingly being used by individuals and groups to incite hate, often from beyond national borders.
This is the first time in 2025 that Mangaluru police have arrested five individuals in parallel under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the newly implemented criminal code that replaced colonial-era laws earlier this year.
The BNS’s broader scope and modernized language now allow for tighter action against technology-aided communal crime.
Expert Take: Online Radicalism Goes Local
“What makes these cases particularly dangerous is the local-targeted radical messaging wrapped in humorous or trolling formats, which often bypass moderation filters,” said Dr. Nishanth Rao, cybercrime expert at the Indian Institute of Criminology.
He further warned that communal messages masked as satire have a viral potential, especially among younger social media audiences.
Preventive Measures Announced
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AI-based monitoring to flag hate keywords in local languages
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Closer collaboration with Meta and telecom providers
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Awareness drives in colleges to prevent radical recruitment via social apps
📣 Police Statement
“We are treating this as cyber terrorism with communal implications,” said Commissioner Reddy. “Every online post that incites violence or disrespects communities will be investigated. Karnataka will not tolerate digital hate.”
Background: A Region Prone to Digital Communal Flashpoints
This is not the first time a digital post has stirred unrest in the Udupi-Mangaluru region, which has long been on edge due to political, religious, and cultural divides. Experts say the region is now becoming a testing ground for digitally-triggered community flare-ups.
In the last year alone:
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Over 15 cases of online hate speech were recorded.
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9 social media accounts were suspended by Meta and Twitter (X).
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4 foreign-based operators were traced using VPNs and SIM swaps.
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Community Leaders Call for Calm
Following the latest controversy, religious and social organizations in both districts have appealed for peace and restraint.
“We urge our youth not to fall prey to digital provocations. Real patriotism is seen in maintaining peace,” said Maulana Rahimuddin Qasmi, a scholar from Udupi’s Khadija Masjid.
“Political ideologies must not be allowed to hijack harmony,” echoed Vinay Shetty, a social activist from Surathkal.
Both leaders also emphasized the importance of digital literacy to help youth identify fake news and inflammatory tactics.
Conclusion
This multi-arrest operation isn't just about cracking down on online posts — it's about safeguarding peace in one of India’s most socially sensitive regions. It also marks a paradigm shift in Indian policing: from reactionary law enforcement to proactive, data-driven digital crime prevention.
As Mangaluru balances tradition and technology, the city sends out a powerful message: freedom of expression ends where hate begins.