New Delhi:  The government is likely to send tough message like abide by law or face prosecution to India heads of social media platforms if the recommendations of a high-level government panel, which discussed steps to curb fake news and misinformation besides child pornography, are accepted.

The issue was discussed by a committee of secretaries, which was constituted following lynching of nearly 40 people in last one year suspectedly due to circulation of fake news in popular social media platforms like WhatsApp, an official privy to the development said.

The panel, headed by Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, submitted its report to a Group of Ministers headed by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, which in turn will submit its recommendations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“There are country representatives of all global social media platforms in India. Action may be initiated against them if they do not comply to remove objectionable contents and video from their sites,” the official said.

The top officials of different ministries and departments deliberated the issue in the wake of reports of many incidents of lynching, communal tension and abuse following circulation of fake news and communally sensitive contents and videos.

During recent meetings with the representatives of the Twitter India, Facebook, WhatsApp and Youtube, the government officials made it clear that the social media platforms have to comply with the directives without delay, and if not done, action under law would be initiated against them.

The law enforcement agencies have been maintaining that the social media platforms cannot remain aloof to the spread of “irresponsible and explosive messages” and they cannot evade their responsibilities.