Actress Payal Rohtagi held by police in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad: Satellite police in Ahmedabad has detained actress Paya Rohtagi under PIC sections 294(b), 504, 506(1), 506(2) and Information Technology Amendment Act 2008’s section 67. Rohtagi was arrested and produced in rural court. She was released on bail on conditions that she would not post remarks against her society persons on social media anymore and she would appear before police on 1st day of every month till chargesheet is filed.

Complainant Parag Sevantilal Shah, resident of Sundarvan apartment in his complaint alleged that Payal had on instagram posted offending post and also posted absuvive comments in society’s whatsapp group which was later deleted. Rohtagi used abusive language against the members of society during Annual General Meeting (AGM) and issued threat to file fabricated cases. She also threatened the children of the society against playing in society’s common plot.

Parag Shah is chairman of the society in which Payal Rohtagi lives for last four years with her parents.

Shah alleged that Payal joined the AGM of society without invitation and participated even though she is not a member of the society, as the flat is owned by her father.

Shah alleged that Payal spoke abusive language, gave death threat and also started recording the meeting in her mobile phone. She also posted abusive message in society’s whatsapp group and when deleted it later when warned. Since March she is posting abusive messages on instagram. In one of videos uploaded, she said, ‘some people of our society don’t think about family planning.’ In another post she said, ‘our society chairman does goondagiri.’ She also commented about society resident Jayesh Raval that he was shouting like a goon and may become mad due to me. She also commented that the society is illegal. She asked children not to play outside and threatened to break their legs if they play outside. The members of society are in fear due to her behavior and think what if she capture their videos and make viral.

Section 294(b) in The Indian Penal Code
(b) sings, recites or utters any obscene song, ballad or words, in or near any public place, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine, or with both.]

Section 504 in The Indian Penal Code
504. Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace.—Whoever intentionally insults, and thereby gives provoca­tion to any person, intending or knowing it to be likely that such provocation will cause him to break the public peace, or to commit any other offence, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

Section 506 in The Indian Penal Code
506. Punishment for criminal intimidation.—Whoever commits, the offence of criminal intimidation shall be punished with imprison­ment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both; If threat be to cause death or grievous hurt, etc.—And if the threat be to cause death or grievous hurt, or to cause the destruction of any property by fire, or to cause an offence punishable with death or 1[imprisonment for life], or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years, or to impute, unchastity to a woman, shall be punished with imprison­ment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, or with fine, or with both.

Section 67 in The Information Technology Act, 2000
77 [ 67 Punishment for publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form. -Whoever publishes or transmits or causes to be published or transmitted in the electronic form, any material which is lascivious or appeals to the prurient interest or if its effect is such as to tend to deprave and corrupt persons who are likely, having regard to all relevant circumstances, to read, see or hear the matter contained or embodied in it, shall be punished on first conviction with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years and with fine which may extend to five lakh rupees and in the event of second or subsequent conviction with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years and also with fine which may extend to ten lakh rupees. ]