A political storm has erupted in the national capital after the Delhi Police’s Special Cell registered a First Information Report (FIR) concerning the alleged circulation of "false and misleading information" about a Delhi Government order related to its schools. The case, initiated on a complaint by the Directorate of Education (DoE), Government of NCT of Delhi, centres on a social media post that claimed teachers were being tasked with counting stray dogs.
The controversy began on December 30, when Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Saurabh Bharadwaj posted a copy of an official order on X (formerly Twitter). In his post, he alleged that the Delhi Government had directed teachers in its schools to conduct a census of stray dogs. The post quickly gained traction, drawing widespread criticism and mockery.
Government Clarifies, Calls it "Fake News"
The Delhi Government swiftly moved to deny the claim, labelling it as "fake news" and a deliberate misrepresentation. Minister Ashish Sood issued a clarification, stating that the order had been grossly distorted. According to the government, the actual directive instructed the in-charges of government schools and sports complexes to ensure that stray dogs do not enter their premises due to safety and security concerns for students and the public.
"There is no instruction for teachers to count dogs. The order is about ensuring safety by preventing entry of strays into school compounds. It is being twisted to create a false narrative," Minister Sood stated.
Education Department Files Police Complaint
The matter escalated when the Directorate of Education formally approached the Delhi Police. Officials stated that the complaint highlighted the potential of such misinformation to create unnecessary panic among parents and teachers, weaken staff morale, and systematically undermine trust in the city's education system.
Following the complaint, an FIR was registered. The police have stated that the content was "allegedly circulated with the intention of spreading misinformation and misleading the public." The Special Cell has launched an investigation to identify and act against those responsible for creating and amplifying the misleading material on social media platforms.
CM Takes Strong Stand, Vows Accountability
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta took a firm stance on the issue, announcing that strict action was being taken against what she termed "fake news spread by the Aam Aadmi Party."
"This is a serious and well-planned attempt to demoralise our dedicated teachers and deliberately create mistrust in Delhi’s robust education system," the Chief Minister said in a statement. "Such deception against Delhi will not be tolerated. We have zero tolerance for politics based on falsehoods."
She affirmed that the government would ensure everyone responsible for spreading the alleged misinformation is "held fully accountable under the law."
Investigation Underway
As the Delhi Police Special Cell continues its investigation, the incident has sparked a broader debate about the weaponization of social media, the rapid spread of political misinformation, and its impact on public institutions. The case underscores the administration's intent to use legal avenues to counter narratives it deems malicious and damaging to governance and public trust.
The outcome of the police probe will be closely watched, setting a potential precedent for how similar cases of alleged politically motivated misinformation are handled in the future.
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