Indore Water Tragedy: Influencer Jatin Shukla Apologises for Remarks Against BJP MP Shankar Lalwani

Jatin Shukla, a social media influencer, apologised for making objectionable remarks against BJP MP Shankar Lalwani regarding the Indore water tragedy. He acknowledged his mistake and clarified his intentions were not to insult the MP.

A social media influencer, Jatin Shukla, apologised after being accused of making false and offensive comments against Lok Sabha member Shankar Lalwani. The remarks were made in a reel about deaths linked to contaminated water in Indore. Shukla admitted to using inappropriate language due to misinformation and expressed regret through an Instagram video.

In the video, Shukla explained that his intention was not to defame or insult Lalwani. He acknowledged that his words had hurt the MP's feelings and apologised to both the MP and the public. "My words hurt the MP's sentiments. For this, I apologise to the MP and to all of you," he stated.

Legal Action and Allegations

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajesh Dandotiya confirmed that a case was filed against Shukla on January 30. The complaint was lodged by Vishal Gidwani, a representative of the MP. Shukla faces charges under Section 223 for disobedience of an order lawfully promulgated by a public servant and Section 352 for intentional use of abusive words with intent to breach peace.

The FIR claims that Shukla made baseless allegations against Lalwani in a reel concerning deaths from contaminated water in Indore's Bhagirathpura area. It also alleges that Shukla falsely claimed to have met the MP in Indore following the deaths.

Contaminated Water Outbreak

The outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea in Bhagirathpura began in late December, attributed to contaminated drinking water. The Congress party has reported 32 deaths related to this outbreak. A state government death audit report submitted on January 27 suggested that 16 deaths might be linked to this contamination.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court's Indore bench has ordered a judicial investigation into the contaminated water issue. A one-member commission led by former High Court judge Justice Sushil Kumar Gupta has been established for this probe.

Police have imposed restrictions on spreading misleading information on social media, which Shukla allegedly violated. Dandotiya noted that the reel contained objectionable, false, and misleading remarks against the local Lok Sabha MP.

With inputs from PTI