One booked for spreading rumours on social media

Tribune News Service
Amritsar, April 3

The city police have registered a case against an unidentified person for spreading rumours on social platform. A case was registered following the complaint lodged by Dr Adarsh Kumar, owner of a private hospital located at Rattan Singh Chowk area.

Dr Adarsh Kumar lodged a complaint after a message was circulated in social media that around 10 positive cases of Covid -19 were admitted to the hospital, which was completely baseless. “There was no coronavirus patient in the hospital neither we were ordered to admit or treat patients,” said Dr Adarsh Kumar.

Following his complaint, Police Commissioner Dr Sukhchain Singh Gill ordered registration of case. A case was registered under Section 54 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, Section 3 of Epidemic Diseases Act and Section 188, 505 (1) (b) of the Indian Penal Code in this connection. He said investigations were being held to pinpoint the source of the message and the person responsible for it would be arrested. He said no one would be spared from spreading rumours and creating panic among residents.

Police Commissioner said Punjab Government has formed a special team headed by ADGP rank officer to monitor all social medial platforms to identify and take action against anyone found circulating false news.