Social networking site Facebook has banned an online group for allegedly maligning the image of Mahatma Gandhi, an IPS officer, who lodged an FIR against the site, claimed today.

The group "I hate Gandhi" has now been banned by the social networking site, according to Amitabh Thakur who had yesterday lodged an FIR against the company alleging it was portraying Gandhi in a wrong manner and spreading hatred.

Lucknow Assistant Superintendent of Police Amit Pathak and his team, probing the matter, had directed officials of the Facebook Inc to immediately ban the said group, he said.

"The group has now been banned by the Facebook," Thakur, an IPS officer of the UP cadre, said.

Thakur in his complaint had alleged that abuses and dirty words have been used against Gandhi by the group on the social networking site.

He said the words and abuses were of such nature that they were wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot.

The FIR was lodged under various sections of the Information Technology Act, 2000.