Overview On 17 February 2026 , the High Grounds police lodged a First Information Report (FIR) against the convenor and co‑convenor of the Assam BJP for circulating a doctored video that portrayed Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shooting members of a minority community. The complaint, filed by Ranjith Kumar of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee , alleged that the content was provocative, could disturb public peace and foment communal enmity. The accused, Biswajith Khaund and Ron Bikash Gourav , were charged under Sections 192 and 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 . Key Developments Development 1: FIR registration against Assam BJP convenor and co‑convenor for posting a manipulated video depicting the CM committing a violent act against a minority group. Development 2: The video, circulated on 7 February 2026 , was promptly deleted after the CM publicly denied any knowledge of it. Development 3: Legal charges invoked under the newly enacted Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 , specifically Sections 192 (provocation leading to riot) and 353(2) (circulation of false information to incite hatred). Important Facts Fact 1: The FIR was filed on 17 February 2026 following a complaint dated 8 February 2026 . Fact 2: The accused, Biswajith Khaund and Ron Bikash Gourav , face potential penalties under the 2023 criminal law reforms aimed at curbing hate speech and communal violence. UPSC Relevance This incident intersects with multiple strands of the UPSC syllabus. In GS Paper II (Polity & Governance) , it illustrates the application of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 —a key legislative reform replacing the Indian Penal Code. In GS Paper III (Security & Law Enforcement) , it raises issues of communal harmony, hate speech, and the role of law enforcement in curbing digital misinformation. The case also offers a lens for GS Paper I (History & Culture) on communal relations in contemporary India, and for the optional subject of Public Administration to discuss accountability of political parties and media regulation. Way Forward The episode underscores the urgent need for robust digital governance frameworks and swift judicial response to hate content. Strengthening the enforcement of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and fostering inter‑community dialogue can mitigate the risk of communal flare‑ups. Policymakers may consider stricter oversight of political party communications on social media, coupled with capacity building for law enforcement agencies to handle cyber‑crimes effectively.