Guwahati: A youth from Assam’s Dhekiajuli, Amit Chakraborty, is facing legal trouble for simply reacting with a laughing emoji on Facebook
The incident stems from a 2023 Facebook post by IAS officer Varnali Deka, then District Commissioner of Kokrajhar.
When a user commented on her post, “No makeup today, ma’am?”, Amit Chakraborty reacted with a laughing emoji. This seemingly innocuous action has led to serious legal consequences.
IAS officer Varnali Deka filed a police complaint at the Kokrajhar Police Station, alleging harassment and defamation.
The police subsequently registered a case against Amit Chakraborty under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Information Technology (IT) Act, including those related to criminal conspiracy, stalking, defamation, and criminal intimidation.
As a result of this case, Amit Chakraborty is now required to appear before the Kokrajhar District Court on February 13 to file a bail application.
This incident has sparked a debate on the legal implications of online interactions and the extent to which freedom of expression can be exercised on social media platforms. While some argue that an emoji reaction should not warrant legal action, others contend that online behavior should be held accountable if it constitutes harassment or disrespect.
Read More: Meghalaya: Supreme Court Upholds Dissolution of CMJ University in Meghalaya Over Mismanagement