Maharashtra Cyber Police Demands User Data from X Corp for Amruta Fadnavis Criticism
On October 19, 2026, Maharashtra Cyber Police issued a notice to X Corp seeking user information linked to critical posts about Amruta Fadnavis.
The notice requests extensive user data, including personal identifiers and account details.
It cites ongoing investigations into alleged defamatory online content.
Concerns arise over privacy implications and the scope of police data requests.
On October 19, 2026, the Maharashtra Cyber Police issued a notice to X Corp, requesting detailed information about several user accounts that posted criticisms of Amruta Fadnavis, the wife of Maharashtra's Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis. The notice, issued under Section 94 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, is part of an investigation into alleged offenses, highlighting concerns over posts deemed to contain defamatory remarks and content that could provoke public outrage.
The police notice specifically demands account registration details, including the creation date, associated names, email addresses, and mobile numbers. It also seeks login records, IP addresses, device identifiers, and metadata related to the posts in question. This extensive request raises significant privacy concerns, as it encompasses a wide range of personal information that goes beyond merely identifying the authors of the posts.
The legal basis for this notice references FIR 82/2026, registered at the Nodal Cyber Police Station in Navi Mumbai, under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act. Sections 352 and 353 of the BNS address public peace breaches and public mischief, while Section 67 of the IT Act pertains to the transmission of obscene material. The police's request for data preservation indicates the seriousness of the investigation and the potential legal ramifications for those involved.
This situation has broader implications for the public and the digital landscape in India. The Maharashtra Cyber Police's actions raise critical questions about the extent to which law enforcement can access personal data from social media platforms during investigations into online speech. The recent Supreme Court ruling in a related case emphasized the need for privacy safeguards, stating that police cannot obtain personal information from before an alleged offense and must justify the necessity of subsequent data requests.
Looking ahead, the outcome of this investigation could set important precedents regarding the balance between law enforcement needs and individual privacy rights in the digital age. As the legal process unfolds, it will be crucial to monitor how these developments impact user rights and the responsibilities of social media platforms in safeguarding user data.
