Madikeri: A 29-year-old youth from Virajpet was arrested yesterday for making derogatory comments on the Kodava community, women and their Goddess Cauvery through social media. The comments led to many protests in Kodagu, Mysuru and Bengaluru and also several FIRs were registered.

The youth was identified as K.P. Divin Devaiah of Palangala village in Virajpet taluk. He allegedly posted certain remarks against the community members and Goddess Cauvery on social media early this month, infuriating the people. It led to widespread protests and condemnation and complaints were filed for hurting religious feelings and sentiments.

An investigation was launched and Devaiah was tracked down and arrested. The mobile handset used for making the post was seized, according to Superintendent of Police M.A. Aiyappa.

The accused had created a fake account in the name of a person from another religion. The post also posed a threat to communal harmony in the district, said the SP.

The Madikeri Cyber Police had registered a case for creating enmity between communities against the accused but could not identify the accused. Later, the Cyber Police contacted Instagram Mumbai Office and California Office to find the IP address of the accused.

“Our investigation team had contacted the American centre of Instagram and traced the IP address of the accused. He is an atheist and had posted the comment using a fake Instagram account for fun. He has been taken into custody and has been booked under IPC Sections 153 A, 295 A and IPC 505(2),” Aiyappa said.

The SP requested social media users to use the medium to spread good and constructive messages and not messages of hatred. Giving an example of how social media was actively used during the 2018 and 2019 floods and landslides in Kodagu, the SP said that it is a powerful medium that can be used to save lives.