More arrests for FB posts: Is India really a democracy?

, Nov 25: Social networking is turning out to be a major menace in India. Even as the outrage over the arrest of two Maharashtra girls for posting comments questioning the decision to shut down Mumbai after the death of Shiv Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray refuses to die down, another instance of similar harassment involving two

employees has been revealed.

Air India cabin crew members Mayank Mohan Sharma and KVJ Rao were held by the cyber crime cell of Mumbai Police in May this year for allegedly posting lewd jokes about politicians, making derogatory comments about Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and also insulting the national flag.

It is learnt that the cyber police arrested them under sections 66 (A) and 67 of the Information Technology Act. The two spent 12 days in police custody and were also suspended by their employer organisation.

Rao said they had just shared the content available on the Internet while Sharma said the cyber cell was investigating the matter for over a year but they never summoned them. The police, who made the arrest nearly two months after the FIR was lodged, was not available for comment.

The duo counter-alleged saying the police had acted under the pressure of an NCP politician.

In April, a professor was arrested in West Bengal for circulating a picture spoof on top Trinamool Congress leaders inmcluding state chief minister Mamata Banerjee through e-mail.

OneIndia News