Accused Nageshwar Singh Baghel picked up from Purwa Kalyanpur village in joint operation; cyber cell investigating social media post and possible foreign link

A man was arrested from Rewa district on Sunday for allegedly posting obscene and derogatory comments on social media against Aditi Yadav, the daughter of former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party national president Akhilesh Yadav.

The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF), along with the Kanpur Commissionerate Cyber Crime Police and Rewa police, conducted a joint operation to apprehend the accused. Nageshwar Singh Baghel (32), a resident of Purwa Kalyanpur village under Panwar police station limits in Rewa district, was taken into custody from his village.

The case originated from a complaint filed by the National Secretary of the Samajwadi Party Advocates' Wing at the Cyber Crime Police Station in Kanpur Commissionerate. The complaint alleged that a Facebook user had shared an altered image of Akhilesh Yadav's daughter along with vulgar and derogatory remarks.

Following the complaint, police registered Case No. 38/2026 at the Cyber Crime Police Station under multiple sections: Section 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with words or acts intended to insult a woman's modesty; Section 336(4) of the BNS, relating to forgery intended to damage a person's reputation; and Section 66E of the Information Technology Act, which addresses privacy violations in cyberspace.

The Cyber Crime Police launched an investigation, examining technical data obtained from the social media platform along with digital evidence and electronic records. The investigation led them to Rewa in Madhya Pradesh.

An STF team from Uttar Pradesh reached Madhya Pradesh and, with the help of local police, traced the accused. Panwar police station in-charge Praveen Upadhyay led the local team that conducted the joint operation and took Baghel into custody. After completing necessary legal formalities, the accused was handed over to the Uttar Pradesh STF and taken to Uttar Pradesh for further questioning.

Police officials said the investigation is ongoing. Authorities are also looking into whether any other individuals or digital platforms are linked to the case. Investigators have found that one of the social media accounts linked to the controversy was allegedly being operated from the United States.

Kanpur Commissioner of Police Raghubir Lal said the police are committed to protecting the dignity, respect and safety of women. "Sharing edited images, false information, offensive comments or any content on social media that damages a woman's reputation is a punishable offence, and strict legal action will be taken against those involved," he said.

Earlier, on June 17, FIRs were registered against multiple individuals accused of making objectionable comments about Akhilesh Yadav's daughter. The controversy had drawn widespread condemnation, with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath publicly defending Aditi Yadav and directing police to register an FIR against those responsible.

Following his arrest, Baghel was produced before a court, which later granted him bail.

Police officials have made it clear that social media platforms are being continuously monitored for objectionable and offensive content, and strict legal action will be taken in such cases. Further investigation is underway.