New Delhi: The Congress Seva Dal has filed a cyber complaint against retired Indian Air Force Flight Lieutenant Anoop Verma over a social media post comparing Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi with Ajmal Kasab, the convicted terrorist involved in the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

Verma shared a collage on X on Tuesday showing Rahul Gandhi and Kasab carrying bags, with Gandhi pictured on the left. Alongside the image, Verma wrote: “With all conviction, I can tell you guys The person on left is far more dangerous for Bharat.”

The post triggered a political controversy over the comparison between a serving constitutional office-holder and Kasab, who was convicted for his role in the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

Congress Seva Dal says complaint filed

The legal cell of the Congress Seva Dal said a cyber complaint had been filed against the post and that the matter would be pursued through appropriate legal channels.

The organisation said it would challenge what it described as malicious or unlawful acts targeting the Congress party, its leaders or members.

The legal cell also referred to Article 19 of the Constitution, which provides for freedom of speech and expression subject to constitutionally permitted restrictions.

It said it would pursue appropriate remedies under the Constitution, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and applicable cyber laws.

“No one is above the law, and accountability must be ensured through due process,” the organisation said.

The complaint means the matter has now moved beyond the social media exchange and into the legal process. There is no indication in the reports that an FIR has been registered against Verma following the complaint.

Retired IAF officer criticises the post

The post also drew a response from retired IAF officer Sgt Karmveer Singh.

Singh said a cyber complaint had been filed and criticised the comparison between Gandhi and Kasab. He argued that political disagreements could be expressed without making such comparisons.

“You are comparing the Leader of Opposition (LoP) with a CONVICTED TERRORIST,” Singh wrote on X.

Singh said criticism of political leaders was part of democratic discourse but maintained that respect and decency should be retained while expressing political differences.

He also criticised Verma for invoking his former military background in the context of political commentary, saying that military service did not exempt an individual from accountability for statements made publicly.

The exchange between the two retired service personnel has added another dimension to the controversy surrounding Verma’s post.

Reference to Matthew VanDyke case

In his response, Singh also referred to the case involving US national Matthew Aaron VanDyke.

According to reports cited in the controversy, VanDyke was arrested by the National Investigation Agency along with six Ukrainian nationals in a case involving allegations that the group illegally entered India and later travelled to Myanmar, where they allegedly provided training to ethnic armed groups.

A Delhi court granted VanDyke default bail on September 18 after the NIA chargesheet invoked provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act without including UAPA offences. The court held that the investigation had not been completed within the applicable statutory period.

Singh referred to the case while making his own political criticism of Verma.

These claims and counterclaims form part of the broader social media exchange and are separate from the cyber complaint filed by the Congress Seva Dal.

Who was Ajmal Kasab?

Ajmal Kasab was the only attacker captured alive during the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Ten terrorists carried out coordinated attacks at multiple locations in Mumbai between November 26 and 29, 2008.

The attacks killed 166 people and injured 238 others.

Kasab was subsequently tried in a special court in Mumbai and convicted of multiple offences, including murder and waging war against the Government of India. He was sentenced to death.

The Bombay High Court upheld the death sentence, following which the case reached the Supreme Court. The apex court confirmed the death penalty in August 2012.

Kasab was executed at Yerwada Central Prison in Pune on November 21, 2012.

Legal process to determine next steps

The Congress Seva Dal has said it intends to pursue the complaint through the appropriate legal channels. The organisation has referred to provisions of the BNS and applicable cyber laws in seeking legal remedies.

The complaint itself does not establish that any offence has been committed; that would depend on the relevant authorities examining the material and applicable law.

The controversy centres on Verma’s social media post and the comparison it made between Rahul Gandhi and Kasab. Verma’s post has drawn criticism from Congress-linked figures and at least one retired IAF officer, while the legal complaint is now subject to examination by the competent authorities.

Any further action, including registration of a case or other proceedings, would depend on the outcome of that process.