Cyber Crime
259 Fake News Cases in Karnataka Since 2023, Only 6 Convictions
Bengaluru: Karnataka has recorded 259 cases related to the dissemination of fake news across media and social media platforms since 2023, according to data from the Home Department presented during the ongoing session of the Karnataka Legislature. However, only six cases have resulted in convictions, underscoring the challenges in tackling misinformation.
Following the Congress government’s assumption of power in 2023, the Karnataka government established the Information Disorder Tackling Unit (IDTU) to combat fake news. Many of the cases registered were flagged by this unit. According to Home Minister G. Parameshwara, 107 cases were registered in 2023, followed by 139 in 2024, and 13 cases in 2025 so far.
Among districts, Bengaluru Urban reported the highest number of cases, with 48 in 2023, 45 in 2024, and 2 in 2025. Uttara Kannada followed, recording 19 cases in 2023, 27 in 2024, and 3 in 2025.
Legal Ambiguity Hindering Convictions
Despite the growing number of cases, convictions remain rare. Over the past three years, only 75 cases have been investigated, with just six leading to convictions. A senior police official attributed this to the legal uncertainty surrounding fake news. “There is no clear definition of fake news, as one person’s fake news may not be the same for another. Additionally, it is unclear under which sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) or Bharatiya Nyay Samhita (BNS) such cases should be booked,” the official explained.
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He noted that many cases were likely filed under Section 506 of IPC (Criminal Intimidation). The Karnataka government, he added, has adopted a holistic approach by establishing the IDTU under the Department of Information Technology and Biotechnology (IT/BT). However, the unit has not been as proactive as expected.
Government’s Response to Fake News
Addressing concerns in the Legislative Council, Dr. Parameshwara stated that notices could be issued to social media platforms when fake news is identified. Offenders can be charged under the IT Act, 2000, or relevant sections of IPC/BNS. To strengthen enforcement, the state has introduced social media monitoring units in every police station, comprising one officer and two trained employees. These personnel receive training from district-level social media units and the Intelligence Department to enhance their ability to track and counter misinformation. While the Karnataka government has initiated several measures, the low conviction rate and legal ambiguity highlight the ongoing struggle to effectively curb the spread of fake news.