The highly publicised case of fake social media followers, initially investigated by the controversial officer Sachin Waze, lacks statements from Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. The case hinges on fake accounts created to inflate the followers of celebrities and influencers. The accused have filed an application before the court, asserting that the charge sheet lacks statements from these intermediaries, making it premature to conclude that the accounts are fake without their input.

The application filed by one of the accused, Premendra Sharma, who was arrested by Waze in August 2020, allegedly for operating multiple portals offering fake followers, views, subscribers and ‘likes’ to individuals seeking to boost their social media presence. The police suspected that Sharma utilised numerous bot accounts to provide followers to celebrities and influencers. Additionally, the police have arrested three other accused and filed charge sheets against them.