The Maharashtra Cyber Police have issued a formal notice to X Corp, demanding extensive personal data related to accounts involved in posts criticizing Amruta Fadnavis, wife of the Maharashtra Chief Minister, citing an ongoing probe into alleged defamatory and provocative content.
- Notice issued under Section 94 of BNSS, 2023, targeting posts critical of Amruta Fadnavis
- Data sought includes account info, IP logs, device and location identifiers
- Supreme Court rulings emphasize privacy safeguards and proportionality in such requests
What happened
On October 19, 2026, the Maharashtra Cyber Police issued a notice to X Corp requiring personal data linked to user accounts responsible for posts critical of Amruta Fadnavis. The notice refers to ongoing investigations under FIR 82/2026, citing sections of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, and the Information Technology Act, 2000. It describes the flagged posts as containing defamatory allegations, offensive remarks, and content that could outrage women’s dignity and incite public sentiment.
The police subpoena demands a detailed range of user data, including registration details, login history, IP addresses, device identifiers, location data, and information on linked accounts. Most flagged posts have since been removed or are inaccessible, but the ones still viewable criticize Fadnavis for her statements on secularism in Garba festival participation and include communal and sexist language.
Why it matters
This notice exemplifies the tension between law enforcement’s investigative powers and individual privacy rights on social media platforms in India. The broad scope of requested data prompts concerns about proportionality and appropriate justification, as the police seek far more than just the identity of the alleged offenders, encompassing extensive technical and location data.
Notably, recent Supreme Court precedent in a similar case involving journalist Abhishek Upadhyay has set important boundaries: law enforcement cannot demand personal data predating the alleged offence without rigorous safeguards. This ruling may influence how the Maharashtra Police’s data request is assessed, particularly regarding the necessity and legality of accessing sensitive user information.
What to watch next
Observers will focus on whether X Corp complies with the notice fully, partially, or contests it, especially given the evolving privacy landscape and judicial scrutiny in India. The police’s justification and scope of requested information may face legal challenges under principles established by the Supreme Court regarding user privacy and data protection.
Additionally, developments in the ongoing FIR investigation and whether similar requests are issued for online criticism of public figures could set further precedents on digital speech regulation and law enforcement’s data requisition practices in the country.