ANI files complaint over 'photoshopped tweet' concerning PM

Multi-media news agency Asian News International on Tuesday filed a complaint with Delhi Police against an unknown person for posting a "photoshopped" tweet concerning Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attributing it to the agency.

"We have received a complaint from ANI. An FIR will be registered on Wednesday after we will receive detailed information," Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajneesh Garg told IANS.

He said someone had posted "a photoshopped tweet impersonating ANI."

The complaint was made both to the Economic Offences Wing and the cyber wing of Delhi Police.

The fake tweet read: "My love for Germany goes decade back. When I was a small boy in Guj my only friend was a German Shephard: PM #ModiInGermany."

Modi was in Germany Tuesday as part of his three-nation visit.

ANI quickly responded after the fake tweet surfaced and made it clear that they had nothing to do with it.

"This is a photoshopped tweet. ANI has got nothing to do with it. Legal action will be taken against those responsible," it said.

As the tweet created a buzz, ANI's editor (news) Smita Prakash tweeted: "This is a photoshopped tweet by @ankitlal. ANI did not tweet it nor did the PM say it."

Lal, who is an online activist and helped AAP in its social media campaign during the Delhi election, tweeted back: ""@smitaprakash, the kind of things Modi ji is speaking on tour I didn't find the statement exceptional. That's why tweeted without verifying."

"@smitaprakash. However I do realize that I should have verified the authenticity of the Tweet which I didn't and my apologies fr it."

Through its twitter account, ANI@ANI-news, the news agency also confirmed to have filed a formal complaint with Delhi Police.

"ANI files police complaint with Delhi Police, Economic Offences Wing, & Cyber Cell of the Delhi Police regarding the photoshopped tweet," ANI tweeted.