Surat Police arrested Instagram influencer Simran Patel over a reel featuring Mahatma Gandhi’s image on a currency note. Police said the note was a Rs 500 bill shown in the Instagram video. Police identified Patel, also referred to as Simran Amit Patel, as a 47-year-old homemaker from Surat’s Adajan area. Police said she has around 10 lakh followers on Instagram. The case follows a complaint over the reel, which police said Patel later deleted.
The reel
Police said Patel uploaded the reel on 1 October, a day before Gandhi Jayanti. The video was posted between 1 pm and 6 pm, according to police. It showed her holding a Rs 500 note bearing Gandhi’s portrait, police said. Police alleged she made vulgar and sexually suggestive gestures and remarks in the video. The remarks were made while she sang “Happy Birthday Gandhi Ji”, police alleged. Police said the video also showed Patel putting the currency note into her T-shirt. The complaint concerned the reel and its depiction of Gandhi’s image, along with the alleged gestures and remarks.
Complaint and case
Social worker Dharmesh Gami filed a complaint with the Surat Cyber Crime Branch. Gami is associated with the Gau Raksha Manch, according to the complaint details. Police registered a case under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act. The provision deals with publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form. The case relates to alleged content shared electronically through Patel’s Instagram reel. Police said the matter was taken up by the Cyber Crime Branch following the complaint. The allegations remain claims and have not been established in court.
Arrest and police post
A Cyber Crime Branch team arrested Patel on Sunday, 4 October, police said. Police Inspector N.R. Patel led the team, according to police. Surat Police later shared a before-and-after video on X, formerly Twitter. The clip showed Patel handling the currency note in the reel and footage after her arrest. It also showed her apologising, police said. Police released the video on X, formerly Twitter, with a public advisory. Police urged social media users to exercise care while creating or sharing online content. They asked users to avoid posts that could hurt public sentiments or lead to social discord.
Investigation continues
Police said the case concerns proceedings under the IT Act provision on electronic obscenity. The case remains under investigation, and the allegations are yet to be tested in court.