Surat Police Arrest Influencer Simran Patel Over Obscene Gandhi Reel

SURAT: A social media Reel featuring Mahatma Gandhi’s image on a ₹500 currency note has landed Instagram influencer Simran Patel in legal trouble, with Surat Cyber Crime Police arresting the 47-year-old following a complaint after the allegedly objectionable video went viral.

The Reel was uploaded on October 1, a day before Gandhi Jayanti. According to the police complaint, Patel allegedly displayed the ₹500 note bearing Gandhi’s image while making obscene gestures and using offensive and sexually explicit language. The video subsequently circulated widely on social media, triggering public outrage.

A vigilant citizen approached the Surat Cyber Crime Police Station and submitted a written complaint against the video. Based on the complaint, police registered a case under Section 67 of the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, 2008, and launched an investigation.

Police said their cyber team used technical analysis of the Instagram account and other digital leads to identify and apprehend the accused.

Patel, identified as Simran Amit Patel, 47, is a resident of Surti Icon in the Adajan-Palanpur Gam area of Surat. She has more than one million followers on Instagram.

The incident has also drawn attention to the growing scrutiny of social media content involving national symbols and public figures. Police said the investigation was initiated after the allegedly offensive content was posted publicly and subsequently went viral.

The Surat Cyber Crime Branch issued an appeal to social media users against creating or circulating obscene, objectionable or derogatory content involving national icons, religious symbols or social symbols merely to gain views, likes or followers.

Police warned that such content can invite legal action.

“Do not create obscene, objectionable or derogatory posts regarding national icons, religious or social symbols for likes or followers on social media,” the Cyber Crime Branch said in its appeal.

The police further cautioned social media users to exercise restraint while creating digital content and said strict legal action would be taken against those found engaging in unlawful activities.

The case comes amid increasing concerns over provocative social media content, particularly material involving national figures and symbols, as police agencies increasingly rely on cyber-forensic and technical analysis to trace creators of viral posts.