Mangaluru: A 27-year-old man was taken into custody upon his arrival in India after police alleged that he had posted derogatory and provocative content targeting the Hindu religion while staying abroad. The arrest followed the issuance of a Look Out Circular (LOC) after investigators traced the social media activity to the accused during his time in Saudi Arabia.
The accused has been identified as Abdul Khader Nehad, a resident of Ulaibettu in Karnataka’s Mangaluru region. According to police officials, Nehad was working in Saudi Arabia at the time the alleged offence was committed. He was detained by authorities at the Calicut International Airport in Kerala on December 14, shortly after landing from overseas.
Case registered suo motu by Bajpe police
Police said that a suo motu case was registered at the Bajpe police station on October 11 after an allegedly derogatory and provocative post related to the Hindu religion appeared on Instagram. The post was uploaded from an account identified as ‘team_sdpi_2025’, which drew the attention of law enforcement authorities following complaints and routine monitoring of online platforms.
A senior police officer told news agency PTI that the content was examined and found to be prima facie objectionable, prompting the police to initiate proceedings without waiting for a formal complaint. The case was registered under relevant sections of the law that deal with promoting enmity between groups and deliberate acts intended to outrage religious feelings.
Technical analysis traced post to Saudi Arabia
During the course of the investigation, police conducted a technical analysis of the Instagram account and the devices linked to it. The analysis reportedly revealed that the post had been uploaded while Nehad was residing in Saudi Arabia for employment.
Investigators concluded that although the alleged act occurred outside India, the content was accessible within the country and had the potential to disturb communal harmony. Police officials said that as the accused is an Indian citizen and the post targeted a religious community in India, the matter fell within their jurisdiction.
Based on these findings, authorities issued a Look Out Circular to ensure that Nehad would be detained and questioned upon his return to India.
Detention at Calicut airport
Police confirmed that Nehad arrived at Calicut International Airport on December 14, where immigration officials acted on the LOC and took him into custody. He was subsequently handed over to the police for further legal procedures and interrogation.
Officials said further investigation is underway to ascertain the intent behind the post, whether it was part of a wider pattern of online activity, and if the social media account had links to any organisation or group. Digital evidence, including account logs and devices, is being examined as part of the probe.
Separate arrest in similar social media case
In a separate but similar incident earlier this month, Mangaluru City Police arrested another individual accused of uploading social media posts that allegedly promoted feelings of enmity or hatred. The accused, identified as Felix Edward Mathais (56), is a Mumbai native who was also working in Saudi Arabia at the time of the alleged offence.
Mathais was detained at Mumbai Airport after immigration officials acted on a Look Out Circular issued by the police. He is alleged to have circulated derogatory posts related to the Bhagavad Gita and women in February 2024.
A case was registered against him at the Kankanady City Police Station under Sections 153(A), 504, 507 and 509 of the Indian Penal Code, along with Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act. Police said he landed at Mumbai Airport from overseas on December 5, 2025, following which he was taken into custody.
Police stress monitoring of online content
Police officials said these cases highlight increased monitoring of social media platforms for content that could disturb communal harmony or public order. They reiterated that individuals posting objectionable content from outside India are not beyond the reach of Indian law if such material is accessible domestically and violates legal provisions.
Authorities added that investigations in both cases are ongoing and further legal action will be taken based on the outcome of digital forensic analysis and questioning of the accused.
Conclusion
The recent arrests underline law enforcement agencies’ focus on tackling the alleged misuse of social media to spread provocative or derogatory religious content. Police have reiterated that Indian laws apply irrespective of whether such content is posted from within the country or abroad, provided it has implications for public order and communal harmony in India.