In a concerning development for local politics and online security, fake social media accounts using the name and photographs of Junagadh MLA Sanjay Koradiya were discovered and traced back to Pakistan, according to a complaint filed with local authorities.
The issue came to light when MLA Koradiya, who had already been receiving extortion threats, noticed suspicious activity involving fraudulent Facebook and Instagram profiles created in his name. The fake accounts were reported during a public interaction on Zanzarda Road, where voters brought the matter to his attention.
Koradiya’s secretary, Harsh Goti, informed the Junagadh B Division Police that the impostor accounts were using the MLA’s images and name to send misleading messages that appeared designed to extract personal information, mislead the public, or potentially commit fraud — actions that could harm his public reputation.
The case was immediately referred to the Junagadh Cyber Cell for investigation. Preliminary inquiries included requests for technical data from Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. Meta’s analysis revealed that the fake Facebook profiles were allegedly originating from Pakistan, while logins to the fraudulent Instagram account were traced to Indian mobile numbers. Both accounts were found to be active at the time of the investigation.
The police have registered an offense under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 336(3) and the Information Technology Act, and further action is underway to identify and hold responsible those behind the misuse.
This incident highlights the growing risks of political impersonation and cyber fraud in Indian politics, emphasizing the need for stronger cybersecurity measures and public awareness to safeguard digital identities.