Key Points:
On August 7, 2025, two unidentified persons disrupted an e-chaupal led by Maharajganj DM Santosh Kumar Sharma with a porn video and remarks.
Following orders from Basic Education Officer Riddhi Pandey, a complaint was lodged on August 9.
The accused have been booked under BNS Sections 221 and 352, and Section 67A of the IT Act, 2000
Maharajganj, Uttar Pradesh — An online public meeting of the education department in Maharajganj was disrupted on August 7, 2025, when two unidentified participants gained access to the virtual platform and interrupted proceedings by playing a pornographic video and making objectionable remarks.
The meeting was chaired by Maharajganj District Magistrate Santosh Kumar Sharma as part of an e-chaupal session. The purpose of this session was to create a direct channel of communication between the district magistrate and members of the public, allowing citizens to raise concerns and suggestions related to the functioning of schools in the district.
Participants in the meeting included basic education officers, headmasters, government school teachers, and members of the general public.
According to officials, two unidentified persons joined the Zoom meeting under the user IDs “Jason Jr” and “Arjun.” During the session, one of the participants, identified on screen as “Jason Jr,” shared their display and began playing pornographic content.
At the same time, the other participant, identified as “Arjun,” allegedly made remarks that were considered objectionable and uncomfortable by those present. The disruption forced officials and attendees to leave the meeting before it could be concluded.
On August 9, Basic Education Officer Riddhi Pandey directed Block Education Officer Sudama Prasad to file a formal complaint in connection with the incident. Acting on these instructions, Prasad lodged a written complaint at Kotwali police station against the two unknown participants. Following this complaint, an FIR was officially registered on August 11, 2025.
Kotwali Station House Officer (SHO) Satyendra Rai confirmed that a probe is in progress, with technical assistance being provided by cybercrime experts to identify those responsible.
“We are utilising technical means to identify the perpetrator. The incident not disrupted an administrative meeting but also constitutes a cybercrime. The culprits will be identified, and appropriate action will be taken,” Rai stated.
Police have booked the accused under multiple legal provisions. These include Section 221 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for obstruction in the discharge of duty by a public servant, Section 352 of the BNS for intentional insult, and Section 67A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which pertains to transmitting material containing sexually explicit acts in electronic form.
The investigation remains underway, and authorities have stated that once the identities of the individuals are confirmed, further legal steps will follow. [Rh/Eth/VS]
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