THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
DALTONGANJ, February 8: An FIR has been lodged against a rejected municipal election candidate and a YouTuber at Hussainabad police station in Palamu district on February 6.
Administrative sources said Palamu Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer Sameera S directed Hussainabad Nagar Panchayat Returning Officer Pankaj Kumar to file the FIR.
Police said Ajay Paswan had filed nomination for ward member from Ward No. 14 under Hussainabad Nagar Panchayat. During scrutiny, his nomination was rejected due to deficiencies in his caste certificate.
Allegations made in viral YouTube interview
After rejection, Paswan gave an interview to YouTuber Sheikh Mojahid, in which he allegedly made baseless and malicious allegations against the Returning Officer, claiming the rejection was intended to help another candidate get elected unopposed.
YouTuber failed to verify claims: Police
Police sources said the YouTuber circulated the interview on social media without verifying facts from the Returning Officer. Authorities stressed that neutrality and caution are mandatory in election-related matters.
Both Paswan and Mojahid face multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including making false statements related to elections, disobedience of lawful orders, and digital circulation of false information.
SDPO Hussainabad S Mohammad Yakub said notices would be issued to both accused and assured that the investigation would be transparent and fair.
Administrative and police sources expressed concern over the growing number of unregulated YouTubers in Palamu district and the lack of any concrete mechanism to monitor their activities.