3 booked for posting fake gun reels on social media

Ballari: Three youths have been booked by Kaul Bazar police for allegedly filming and sharing social media reels featuring fake firearms, causing panic among the public.The accused — Sahil, Vikas and Abhishek — allegedly shot the reels on the bank of the Tungabhadra HLC canal near Bandihatti village within the limits of Kaul Bazar police station.

The videos showed them posing with a fake double-barrel gun and pistols before uploading the content on social media.Acting suo motu, police registered a case after finding that the reels had the potential to create fear and alarm among the public. The fake double-barrel gun and pistols used in the videos have been seized. Investigators are also probing the motive behind the reels and examining other aspects of the case.Ballari SP Suman D Pennekar said special teams had been formed at all police stations and at the district police office to monitor social media activity, including photos, videos, reels and other online content. She warned that strict legal action would be taken against those who share content that creates public fear, disturbs communal harmony or threatens law and order.Police also appealed to youngsters not to create or circulate videos merely to gain online attention if they contain unlawful or fear-inducing content. They cautioned that such acts could invite legal action and cause unnecessary panic among the public.