We are living in the times when information travels faster than thought. Every news reaches you through your smartphone notifications. You do not even need to wait for newspaper or switch on the TV. With this speed, the spread of false news, especially celebrity fake death news, has become a disturbing and disgusting trend. A celebrity falls into diseased state and social media erupts with “RIP” posts about living celebrities, politicians, or public figures. In some cases, even private citizens have faced the trauma of being declared dead online.
While this may seem a harmless prank to some, the emotional distress, social confusion, and reputational harm resulted by such instances are immense. It happened with renowned actors like Kajal Agarwal, Hina Khan, Nora Fatehi and most recently Dharmendra Ji. The list is long…. We think it’s high time India gets a special law that directly criminalizes fake death news.
Misunderstood Laws on Fake News
India doesn’t have a specific “Fake News Law.” Therefore, celebrity fake death news is not punishable as such. Some believe that existing provisions may be stretched to fit such incidents:
- Defamation in BNS: Publishing false news that harms someone’s reputation is punishable by up to 2 years in jail. However, it requires proving intent and damage. How exactly do you prove what it felt when someone pronounced you dead and you receive condolence calls?
- Mischief: BNS provision punishes statements causing public alarm or mischief. But, a fake death announcement often affects individuals, not necessarily “public order”. Even if it is about celebrity fake death news, it still cannot be purported to affect public order.
- Information Technology Act, 2000: Addresses online impersonation and misuse of digital platforms, but not specifically fake news about a person’s life or death.
The result is that victims lack a legal recourse and end up making public announcements that they are still alive.
The Cost of Fake Death News
Fake death rumors are not mere online gossip. Especially when it is about celebrity fake death news, there are fans who are too emotional. They have real consequences:
- Families receive condolence calls in shock and panic.
- Public figures face confusion, loss of reputation, and mental distress.
- Fans struggle to find the truth.
Is this media’s freedom of speech? Or is it misuse of free expression that inflicts psychological harm and public disorder?
Why We Need a Specific Law
I remember an aunt mentioned recent celebrity deaths and included Hina Khan in the list. When I told her Hina Khan was very much alive and glowing like before, this aunt was too shocked. She expressed how much she cried when she saw this video of Hina Khan’s last rites on YouTube. That’s the extent to which people have fallen for easy views and likes – the world of social media is too steep.
This story is the foundation of why India urgently needs a clear, enforceable law that addresses false death news addressing both online and offline modes, and for both ordinary people and celebrity fake death news. Such a law should:
- Criminalize intentional publication of false information about someone’s death.
- Impose strict penalties on verified individuals, media houses, or social platforms that fail to verify before publishing.
- Mandate prompt corrections and apologies within a specified timeframe.
- Provide swift grievance redressal and compensation for the victim.
This step may protect individuals’ dignity while maintaining media accountability.
Responsible Media: The Moral Obligation
When you have a voice, you hold a responsibility towards your readers and viewers. Even if you are an influencer or have a social media channel covering wider audiences, act like a grown up! Even without a new statute, media organizations and digital platforms must uphold journalistic ethics. The Press Council of India’s Norms of Journalistic Conduct prohibit publishing false or distorted reports. But moral responsibility must evolve into legal responsibility, because when “news” declares someone dead, it’s a violation of truth and humanity.
