Meta India Head Booked Over Facebook Videos Targeting PM Modi Amid Protest Unrest

Meta India Head Booked Over Facebook Videos Targeting PM Modi Amid Protest Unrest- Hyderabad police have registered a criminal case against Meta India’s Managing Director, Arun Srinivas, over several videos allegedly posted on Facebook that portrayed Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an abusive manner. The move marks one of the rare instances in which a senior executive at a global technology company has been personally named in a legal case related to user-generated content in India.

According to Hyderabad Cyber Crime officials, authorities are preparing to send a formal notice to Meta as part of the investigation. Police have not publicly disclosed the specific legal provisions invoked, but the complaint centers on videos that allegedly violated Indian laws governing online content.

The case comes during a politically sensitive period for the country. Prime Minister Modi has been facing widespread criticism online while dealing with one of India’s largest youth-led protest movements in years. The demonstrations erupted after allegations of leaks in national examination papers, triggering public outrage and ultimately leading to the resignation of India’s education minister.

Meta Says It Is Cooperating

Meta confirmed it is aware of the investigation and said it is working with the relevant authorities.

“We are in touch with the concerned agencies and are cooperating with them to resolve the matter,” a company spokesperson said.

The company has not commented on why Arun Srinivas was personally named in the complaint.

Tougher Rules for Social Media Platforms

Legal experts say the case reflects India’s increasingly strict approach toward regulating digital platforms.

Earlier this year, the Indian government significantly tightened its online content regulations. Under the updated rules, social media companies must remove content declared unlawful by courts or government authorities within three hours, a sharp reduction from the previous 36-hour compliance window.

Failure to act within the required timeframe can result in platforms losing important legal protections that generally shield them from liability for content posted by users.

Technology law experts note that holding senior executives personally liable is unusual and typically requires investigators to establish that the individual had direct knowledge of or played an active role in allowing the disputed content to remain online.

Growing Pressure on Meta

The investigation adds to a series of confrontations between Meta and the Indian government over content moderation.

Officials recently summoned Meta executives after Facebook temporarily restricted one of Prime Minister Modi’s posts related to the nationwide student protests. The government demanded an explanation, while Meta later stated that the restriction was accidental and quickly corrected.

In recent weeks, social media platforms have seen a surge of criticism, satire, edited videos, and memes targeting the Prime Minister as the protest movement gained momentum.

Supporters of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have filed multiple complaints alleging that manipulated videos and misleading images of Modi have been circulating across Facebook and Instagram.

India Remains Meta’s Largest User Base

India continues to be Facebook’s largest market by user numbers, making the country strategically important for Meta’s global business.

Arun Srinivas assumed the role of Managing Director and Head of Meta India in July 2025. The current investigation places him at the center of one of the company’s most significant legal challenges in India, as authorities test the scope of the country’s strengthened digital regulations.

Broader Implications

The case could become an important legal test for executive accountability in India’s technology sector. If authorities pursue personal liability against senior platform executives, it may influence how global social media companies manage content moderation, legal compliance, and government relations in one of the world’s largest internet markets.

The investigation also underscores the growing tension between protecting free expression online and enforcing stricter rules against allegedly unlawful or manipulated digital content. As India’s regulatory framework continues to evolve, the outcome of the case could have lasting implications for technology companies operating in the country and for the responsibilities placed on their local leadership.