Influencer Arrested Over Reel
Surat Police Arrest Instagram Creator Over Objectionable Mahatma Gandhi Video Reel
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The complainant, Dharmesh Gami, was identified as president of the Bharatiya Gauraksha Manch and filed his complaint at Umra police station. He told the Indian Express that the video hurt people’s respect for Gandhi and that he wanted a criminal case to deter similar acts.
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Police said they conducted a technical investigation to identify who operated the Instagram account. A team led by police inspector N. R. Patel arrested Simran on Sunday; investigators said she had posted the Reel from her own account.
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The Times of India reported that police alleged Patel had regularly posted obscene and vulgar videos on Instagram. Her profile also included a disclaimer advising children and people who disliked that content to avoid or block the account.
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Police said Patel moved to Surat after marrying about 17 years ago, had studied through Class 12 and regularly made short-form videos for social media.
Surat police arrested 47-year-old Instagram creator Simran Patel on Sunday over an alleged Reel showing Mahatma Gandhi's image on a ₹500 note in a sexually suggestive manner. Patel, who has roughly one million followers, posted the video on October 1—the eve of Gandhi Jayanti—before deleting it, Free Press Journal reported. She was booked under Section 67 of India's Information Technology Act, which covers publishing obscene material electronically.
The arrest followed a complaint by Dharmesh Gami, president of the Bharatiya Gauraksha Manch, who told Indian Express the content hurt public respect for Gandhi. Police said they conducted a technical investigation to identify the account operator and shared custody footage of Patel apologizing, urging the public to avoid posting content that could cause social discord.
How Police Tracked Down the Content Creator
Surat's Cyber Crime Cell conducted a technical investigation to identify who operated the Instagram account, Daily Pioneer reported. A team led by police inspector N. R. Patel arrested Simran on Sunday after confirming she had posted the Reel from her own account. Investigators said she regularly posted obscene and vulgar videos on Instagram, though her profile included a disclaimer advising children and people who disliked the content to avoid or block the account.
The Complaint That Triggered the Investigation
Dharmesh Gami filed the complaint at Umra police station after seeing the video. Gami told Indian Express that the content disrespected Gandhi and that he wanted criminal charges to deter similar acts in the future. His complaint emphasized how the post could hurt public sentiment and undermine reverence for India's independence icon, especially on Gandhi Jayanti eve.
Profile of the Arrested Content Creator
Simran Patel, 47, moved to Surat 17 years ago after marrying and studied through Class 12, according to police. She regularly created short-form videos for social media platforms, building her following to over one million on Instagram. The Daily Jagran reported that her arrest marks a rare case of law enforcement targeting a major influencer for objectionable content under India's IT Act.
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