Gujarat Police books X handle for ‘false message’ about CM Harsh Patel, Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi

Police register FIR against X account holder

The Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) of Ahmedabad City Police has registered a case against the owner of an X handle for posting a message suggesting an imminent change in Gujarat's political leadership. The handle, identified as Pawan Tyagi (@PAWANTYAGI_07), allegedly published a 'breaking news' post claiming that Deputy Chief Minister Harshad Sanghavi would become the next Chief Minister, and that current CM Bhupendra Patel would be made Governor. The DCB statement said the post amounted to a 'criminal conspiracy' and caused damage to the constitutional post of the Chief Minister and the reputation of both leaders.

According to a complaint filed by PSI D B Kumpavat of the City Crime Branch, officials monitoring social media for cyber activities came across the post. Police alleged the post falsely claimed that changes were imminent in Gujarat's political leadership, and that it was circulated in the form of breaking news. The complaint stated that the post had the potential to create confusion and unrest among the public and supporters of the ruling BJP, and could harm the reputation and constitutional standing of the CM.

Legal provisions cited

The case was registered under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act. The Indian Express reported that the accused has been booked under Sections 336(4), 353(1), and 62(1) of the BNS 2023, and Section 66(d) of the IT Act. ThePrint mentioned the sections as 336(4), 353(1), and 61(2) of the BNS, stating that these relate to forgery involving physical or electronic records and the publication of false statements. The Times of India said the case was filed under sections related to fraud and statements conducting to public mischief, as well as IT Act provisions.

Who is Pawan Tyagi? The X handle describes itself as 'Executive Editor, Pyara Hindustan news Network, The News News channel, Swayamsevak'.

Clarification and apology

ThePrint carried a detailed response from Tyagi. After the FIR was registered, he issued a clarification and apology on X, saying his post was based on speculation. He said the post were a 'copy-paste' of comments made below a post by a senior journalist, who had shared a video of Sanghavi. According to Tyagi, around 15 to 20 people, including journalists and others from Gujarat, had commented that Sanghavi should become CM, following which he wrote the post.

"This was my opinion based on the opinions of people given on X posts, for which I had no solid basis of confirmed information," Tyagi said, as reported by ThePrint. He claimed he was unaware that making such a speculation could amount to a crime and apologized for his 'unintentional mistake'. He stated he was a law-abiding citizen and would not make any such post without information from a correct and solid source.

Context: CM's foreign visit and political background

The development comes at a time when Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel is on a week-long visit to the United States and Canada to promote business partnerships ahead of the Vibrant Gujarat summit next year, with his tour beginning August 17 and concluding August 24. According to The Indian Express, Bhupendra Patel has served as CM since September 2021, and Harshad Sanghavi was elevated to Deputy CM in October 2025. Sanghavi holds several portfolios including Home, Police Housing, Jail, Border Security, Prohibition and Excise, and Law and Justice. The report adds that Sanghavi, at 41, is seen as the youth face of the BJP in Gujarat and is believed to have the trust of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and former state BJP chief C R Paatil.

The case has drawn attention to the balance between legal scrutiny of social media posts and the right to express speculative opinions. While police emphasised the public credentials' role in creating fear and distrust, Tyagi's plea clarifies his intention. The differing legal sections in the reports highlight the complexity of applying the law to social media content, but the core event underscores the official crackdown on politically related misinformation during periods when the CM is abroad.