Last update:08 Nov 2024, 10:49 IST

The Maharashtra state cyber department under the Office of the Special Inspector General of Police has registered an FIR against various e-commerce platforms including Flipkart, AliExpress, TeeShopper and Etsy.

The department pointed out that merchandise featuring criminal icons could contribute to the normalization of violence and crime in society. (Image: X)

In a significant move to curb online content that could negatively impact society, the Maharashtra State Cyber ​​Department under the Office of the Special Inspector General of Police has registered an FIR against various e-commerce platforms including Flipkart, AliExpress, TeeShopper and Etsy. This action came after these platforms were found selling T-shirts glorifying notorious gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Dawood Ibrahim, sending a worrying message that idolizes criminal figures.

The Cyber ​​Department, as Maharashtra’s nodal agency for cyber security and cyber crime, actively monitors the digital landscape to detect and address content that could destabilize law and order. In a recent research, it identified these objectionable items on popular online marketplaces. According to the department, products like these pose a significant risk by promoting a distorted and dangerous image of criminals, particularly to impressionable young minds. The department pointed out that merchandise featuring criminal icons could contribute to the normalization of violence and crime in society.

This is not just a case of fashion, the department said, but a deliberate glamorization of criminal lifestyles through seemingly innocuous clothing. By displaying the symbols associated with criminals like Bishnoi and Ibrahim, such merchandise risks eroding society’s values ​​and trivializing the seriousness of the crimes these individuals are linked to. The department fears that idolizing criminal elements in this way could encourage young people to admire and even emulate illegal behaviour.

In response to these concerns, the Maharashtra Cyber ​​Department registered an FIR under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act. The cyber department cited sections including 192, 196, 353 and 3 of the NBS, 2023 along with section 67 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 against both the sellers responsible for listing these products and the platforms that hosted them.

In its press note, the Cyber ​​Department pointed out that the idolization of criminal figures through casual merchandise can dangerously glamorize illegal activities, effectively corrupting the values ​​of the youth. They noted that such idolatry not only compromises societal norms but also trivializes the seriousness of the crimes committed by these individuals. The department emphasized its commitment to promoting a safe and secure digital environment by ensuring that harmful content like this does not proliferate on publicly accessible online platforms.

This action by the Maharashtra State Cyber ​​Department sends a clear message: glorification of crime, be it intentional or accidental, will not be tolerated. By holding e-commerce platforms accountable, law enforcement agencies in Maharashtra aim to preserve societal values ​​and prevent any negative influence on the youth. This incident also serves as a reminder to e-commerce platforms to exercise greater responsibility in monitoring the products sold on their sites, ensuring that they do not unwittingly contribute to the glorification or popularization of illegal figures.

Through this FIR, the Maharashtra State Cyber ​​Department has reaffirmed its commitment to prevent digital content that could disturb public peace and sent a stern warning to those who might try to exploit the online market for promoting harmful ideologies.