Delhi Police File FIR Over Misleading Claims About School Stray Dog Policy

Police in Delhi have filed a formal complaint against former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over social media posts claiming that teachers were being assigned to count stray dogs instead of teaching. The First Information Report (FIR) was registered following accusations from education officials that Kejriwal deliberately spread false information about a government circular.

Delhi Education Minister Atishi Marlena Sood announced the complaint during a press conference on Thursday, categorically denying Kejriwal’s assertions and calling them a deliberate attempt to mislead the public. The case has been registered under Section 353(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which pertains to publishing false statements through electronic means, and Section 192, which deals with provocation intended to incite riots.

“The allegations made by Mr. Kejriwal completely misrepresent the contents and purpose of our department’s circular,” Sood said during the press briefing. “This appears to be a calculated effort to create controversy where none exists and to undermine public confidence in the education system.”

The complaint, filed by the Directorate of Education, specifically refers to “false, misleading and malicious information” being circulated on social media platforms suggesting that school teachers had been diverted from their academic responsibilities to conduct a census of stray dogs across the city. Officials emphasized that the circular in question contained no such directive.

The controversy emerges amid ongoing tensions between Delhi’s current administration and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which Kejriwal leads. Sood suggested that the AAP would likely try to position itself as a victim following the FIR’s registration, a tactic she claimed the party has employed previously when faced with legal challenges.

Education has been a cornerstone of the AAP’s governance platform in Delhi, with the party frequently highlighting reforms and improvements in the public school system during its time in power. This incident threatens to undermine that narrative at a politically sensitive time.

A senior police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the investigation is currently underway. “We are examining the evidence, including the original circular and the social media posts in question, to determine if there was indeed a deliberate attempt to spread misinformation,” the official said.

The case highlights growing concerns about the spread of misinformation on social media platforms, particularly by political figures with significant public followings. In recent years, Indian authorities have become increasingly vigilant about online content that could potentially disrupt public order or spread false narratives about government functions.

Legal experts note that cases filed under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which recently replaced sections of the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, are still being tested in courts across the country. The outcome of this case could set important precedents regarding the responsibility of public figures when sharing information online.

The Delhi government’s education department has faced various challenges in recent years, including infrastructure issues, teacher shortages, and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials expressed concern that controversies like this one divert attention from genuine educational priorities.

“Our focus remains on improving educational outcomes for students across Delhi,” a senior education department official said. “Distractions and misrepresentations of our work only serve to undermine these efforts.”

Police officials indicated that further action in the case would depend on the findings of their investigation, which includes reviewing evidence and potentially taking statements from relevant parties. Neither Kejriwal nor AAP spokespersons had issued a formal response to the FIR as of press time.