Postcard News founder Mahesh Hegde was arrested by the Bengaluru Central Crime Branch on Thursday on charges of spreading fake news.

Police Commissioner Suneel Kumar said the arrest was made based upon a complaint filed against one of the stories on his website, which maliciously claimed that a Jain monk was attacked by Muslim youths.

The FIR against Hegde was filed by Gaffar Baig, the General Secretary of Congress' Bengaluru District Committee, on March 18.

Based upon the prima facie evidence, the police booked Hegde under IPC sections 153a (wantonly giving provocation with the intent to cause riot), 34 (common intention) and 120b (for criminal conspiracy), and section 66 (dishonest act) of the Information Technology Act.

“Yes, it is true, he was arrested based on the Jain muni post. The Jain muni was hit by a bike while he was walking on the road. He was not hit by Muslim youth as claimed by Hegde,” said the police official.

Based on a complaint the police have registered an FIR and are investigating the matter.

A social media post, both by Postcard news and founder Hegde stated, "Very sad news, yesterday in Karnataka Jain muni attacked by Muslim youth …. No one is safe in Siddaramaiah’s Karnataka.”

“The Jain muni was hit by a drunk man riding a motorcycle. The Jain muni was on his was to Shravanabelagola for the Mahamatsabhisheka. He had sustained minor injuries on his right shoulder and arm and also on his face. Locals administered first aid and sent them to Shravanabelagola. Upon learning that the Jain Muni was hurt, postcard news published a story alleging that the Jain Muni was attacked by Muslim youth. This was published on social media. Many people have read this story. This was intended to tarnish the reputation of the government and also disrupt communal harmony,” states the FIR.

The FIR against Hegde was filed by Gaffar Baig, the General Secretary of Congress' Bengaluru District Committee, on March 18.

Postcard News founder Mahesh Hegde was arrested by the Bengaluru Central Crime Branch on Thursday on charges of spreading fake news. Police Commissioner Suneel Kumar said the arrest was made based upon a complaint filed against one of the stories on his website, which maliciously claimed that a Jain monk was attacked by Muslim youths. The FIR against Hegde was filed by Gaffar Baig, the General Secretary of Congress' Bengaluru District Committee, on March 18. Based upon the prima facie evidence, the police booked Hegde under IPC sections 153a (wantonly giving provocation with the intent to cause riot), 34 (common intention) and 120b (for criminal conspiracy), and section 66 (dishonest act) of the Information Technology Act. “Yes, it is true, he was arrested based on the Jain muni post. The Jain muni was hit by a bike while he was walking on the road. He was not hit by Muslim youth as claimed by Hegde,” said the police official. Based on a complaint the police have registered an FIR and are investigating the matter. A social media post, both by Postcard news and founder Hegde stated, "Very sad news, yesterday in Karnataka Jain muni attacked by Muslim youth …. No one is safe in Siddaramaiah’s Karnataka.” “The Jain muni was hit by a drunk man riding a motorcycle. The Jain muni was on his was to Shravanabelagola for the Mahamatsabhisheka. He had sustained minor injuries on his right shoulder and arm and also on his face. Locals administered first aid and sent them to Shravanabelagola. Upon learning that the Jain Muni was hurt, postcard news published a story alleging that the Jain Muni was attacked by Muslim youth. This was published on social media. Many people have read this story. This was intended to tarnish the reputation of the government and also disrupt communal harmony,” states the FIR.

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Postcard News founder Mahesh Vikram Hegde arrested