As the rumours spread about the health of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, the Central crime branch sleuths of Chennai city police started their investigation. In this regard, police have arrested two people including a software engineer for spreading rumours. Jayalalithaa was admitted in Apollo Hospitals on September 22.
According to the police, the arrested were identified as Satish Kumar, 26, and Madasamy, 25. Satish Kumar has studied MCA and is employed by a private firm while Madasamy has been employed in a private company in Velachery.
"The technician manages a website which uploaded an audio said to be the voice of an employee of the Apollo Hospitals about CM's health. The IT engineer posted false information on the Facebook about CM's health," said the police.
“Both deliberately uploaded messages and audio clips to create panic on the chief minister's health”, said the police.
Police added “based on the complaint of AIADMK IT wing secretary K R Ramachandran, cyber crime wing of Chennai city police registered a case under the IPC Sections 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 505 (1) (whoever makes, publishes or circulates any statements, rumour or reports) and 505 (1) (c) (d) (with intent to cause or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public) of the Indian Penal Code. The arrested were remanded in judicial custody after being produced before a magistrate court in the city on Monday.”
Ever since the chief minister was admitted to the hospital, the rumour mills are working overtime on social media, especially Whatsapp. Police had earlier registered another case against Taichi, a woman residing in France, based on a complaint by the AIADMK IT secretary.
Many messages are being forwarded about CM's health, the picture of a woman said to be the daughter of Jayalalithaa etc.
“The city police has so far filed 43 cases against people said to be responsible for spreading rumours. The investigation is on the persons against cases have been filed and we expect more to be arrested," said the police.
BY M. DIVYA SRI
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