Mumbai: Why was Urfi Javed 'arrested'? What did police later tell?

Mumbai: The Mumbai police filed a case against social media influencer and former Bigg Boss contestant, Urfi Javed, for tarnishing their reputation with a fabricated arrest video, according to an official statement.

Urfi Javed is frequently in the headlines for her fashion choices. She and her associates orchestrated a "raid" in which a few individuals posing as police officers, are supposedly taking action against her for wearing revealing attire. This video, which was considered defamatory by the police, quickly went viral on social media.

'Police insignia and uniform were misused'

In response, the police clarified on the X social media platform that the viral video depicting a woman's alleged arrest by the Mumbai Police for obscenity was false and that the police insignia and uniform had been misused. The post declared, "One cannot violate the laws of the land for the sake of cheap publicity!"

The police have registered a criminal case against those involved in the misleading video under sections 171, 419, 500, and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at the Oshiwara Police Station. As the investigation continues, the individual posing as a fake inspector has been arrested, and the vehicle used in the video has been seized.

Section 171 of the IPC relates to "wearing attire or carrying a token used by a public servant with fraudulent intent," while section 419 pertains to cheating through impersonation. IPC sections 500 and 34 deal with punishment for defamation and common intention, respectively.

'Viral video propagated a false message about police'

The police stated in a release that the viral video, created for self-promotion, propagated a false message about the department's stance on individuals wearing revealing clothing.

In the FIR (first information report), Urfi Javed, two other women posing as constables, and a male associate impersonating a police officer were charged under various sections of the IPC. Additionally, a notice under CrPC section 41A has been served to the accused Ganpatbhai Sawajibhai Makwana, who portrayed the role of a police officer in the video. Section 41A deals with the appearance before a police officer.