WHILE reports of a Rs 50 crore defamation case filed by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari against YouTuber and Instagram user Mukesh Mohan have been widely circulating on social media this week, the FIR in the case was actually registered by the Nagpur Cyber Police one-and-ahalf months ago. The YouTuber was not directly named in the FIR, but subsequent investigation revealed his role in the case. Senior Police clarified that Mukesh Mohan was not originally named in the FIR. His involvement came to light later during the investigation of a case registered on February 17 at the Cyber Police Station.

 

According to a senior police officer, the FIR was initially filed against three persons based on a complaint by Shishir Tripathi, President of the BJP’s Nagpur City Social Media Cell. The case was registered under Section 66(d) of the Information Technology Act, along with Sections 3(5) and 356(3) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita. As the probe progressed, investigators identified a wider network of social media activity.“We have traced a total of 11 accounts that were allegedly involved in spreading defamatory content against the Union Minister. Notices have been issued to all of them for questioning,” the officer said. During the investigation, police found that Mohan had uploaded a 2.27-minute video on March 3, 2026, titled “@gadkari.nitin is a cow killer?”.

 

The video was reportedly based on a media report published a few days earlier. Another key finding was related to the Instagram account used to post the video. Police said the account was created using a SIM card registered in the name of Mohan’s relative, identified as Ghanshyam Dolia. This led investigators to question some of his family members as well. The case is under active investigation, said the official.