The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has acknowledged a complaint concerning a documentary web series on an OTT platform that allegedly glorifies an individual accused of illegal betting, financial fraud, and money laundering, potentially influencing young audiences negatively. Under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, the NHRC bench, led by Member Priyank Kanoongo, has issued notices to relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, seeking Action Taken Reports within two weeks. The complaint highlights concerns that the series glamorizes the accused individual’s alleged crimes, portraying them in a luxurious light with wealth and expensive cars.
The complainant has expressed worries that such depictions could lead to the promotion of a betting culture among youth, contributing to social harm, addiction, financial losses, and mental distress. The complaint urges the NHRC to investigate the impact of such content on mental health and public morality, and to recommend strict guidelines to prevent the glorification of illegal activities on digital platforms. Additionally, the complainant has requested measures to prevent alleged criminals from being featured on public platforms. The NHRC, after reviewing the complaint, has found potential human rights violations and has instructed authorities to conduct thorough inquiries and submit detailed reports within the stipulated timeframe.
In response to the complaint, the NHRC has directed the concerned authorities to take necessary actions and submit comprehensive reports within two weeks. Specifically, the Superintendent of Police in Jabalpur has been tasked with ensuring stringent measures and investigating how an accused individual managed to feature on a television or OTT platform, with a focus on potential impacts on youth mental health and morality. Further actions will be determined based on the reports submitted by the authorities within the specified period.
