Assam: Laughing emoji reaction on FB lands Dhekiajuli youth in legal trouble

A youth from Assam's Dhekiajuli, Amit Chakraborty, has invited legal trouble for simply reacting with a laughing emoji on Facebook.
 

The controversy dates back to 2023, when IAS officer Varnali Deka was serving as the District Commissioner of Kokrajhar. On one of her Facebook posts, a user named Naresh Barua commented: "No makeup today, ma’am?"
 

Amit Chakraborty reacted to this comment with a laughing emoji, which unexpectedly led to serious legal consequences.
 

Legal action against the emoji reaction
 

Following the incident, IAS officer Varnali Deka filed a police complaint at the Kokrajhar Police Station, citing harassment and defamation. As a result, a case was registered under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Information Technology (IT) Act: The case has been registered under sections 120-B, 354-D(1), 500, 509, and 66 of the IPC and IT Act at Kokrajhar Police Station (Case No. 120-B/354-D(1)/500/509/66).
 

Bail application in Kokrajhar District Court
 

Due to this legal case, Amit Chakraborty is now required to appear before the Kokrajhar District Court on February 13 to file a bail application. The case has sparked discussions on the impact of social media interactions and the legal boundaries surrounding online expressions.
 

The incident has drawn mixed reactions from netizens, with some questioning whether an emoji reaction should lead to legal consequences, while others argue that online behavior should be held accountable if it amounts to harassment or disrespect.