Karnataka reports 259 fake news cases, six convictions

Since the beginning of 2023, Karnataka has recorded 259 cases related to the sharing of fake news on media and social media. Despite this high number, only six cases have resulted in convictions. This information was shared by the Home Department during a session of the Karnataka Legislature. The state established an Information Disorder Tackling Unit (IDTU) after the Congress party came to power in 2023. This unit aims to address the growing problem of misinformation. In 2023, 107 cases were filed, with 139 in 2024 and 13 already in 2025. Bengaluru Urban district had the most cases, followed by Uttara Kannada. Of the registered cases, only 75 have been investigated. A senior police official explained that this low number of convictions is partly due to unclear laws regarding fake news. There is an ambiguity about which sections of the Indian Penal Code apply, and the definition of fake news can vary between individuals. The police official noted that many of these cases might fall under Section 506 of the IPC, which deals with criminal intimidation. He emphasized that the IDTU should be more active since "information disorder" includes various issues, such as deep fakes and online harassment. Home Minister G. Parameshwara stated that when fake news is reported, notices can be sent to relevant social media platforms. Offenders could face charges under the IT Act, IPC, or Bharatiya Nyay Samhita. The state has also initiated social media focus units in every police station, comprising one officer and two staff members trained to handle these cases.