The Uttar Pradesh Police are taking strict action against individuals spreading rumours about the Maha Kumbh on social media. On the instructions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Director General of Police Prashant Kumar has identified and initiated action against such accounts, officials said here on Thursday.

During social media monitoring, seven accounts were found circulating misleading propaganda by linking an old video of bodies found on the riverbank in Ghazipur to an alleged stampede at Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, officials said.

Accused of tarnishing the image of the state government and the police, as well as spreading social unrest, a case has been registered against individuals operating these accounts at the Kotwali Kumbh Mela police station in Prayagraj, and legal proceedings are underway.

A video from 2021, depicting bodies on the riverbank in Ghazipur, was allegedly falsely circulated on social media as an incident related to Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. The police promptly exposed the misinformation and clarified that the video had no connection to Maha Kumbh, officials said.

The official Kumbh Mela Police account also issued a denial to counter the misleading claims.

Legal action has been initiated against the following social media accounts for spreading misinformation and attempting to disrupt law and order:

— Yadavking000011 (@Yadavking000011) - Instagram

Komal Yadav (@komalyadav_lalubadi94) - Instagram

Amar Nath Yadav (amar_ydvkvp_5354_) - Meta Thread

Banwari Lal - Bairwa (@B_L__VERMA) - X (Twitter)

Kavita Kumari (@KavitaK22628) - X (Twitter)

Sonu Chaudhary (SonyChaudhary70) - X (Twitter)

Putul Kumar Kumar (@Puatulkumar9795) - YouTube