Sircilla municipal councilor booked for spreading fake news on Covid-19

Hyderabad: Police have registered three more cases for spreading fake news about coronavirus in different parts of Telangana.

In two cases, the people involved have yet to be identified. In one case, police have identified a municipal councilor for spreading fake news. Police have so far registered five cases in different parts of Telangana under section 54 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

Police said Guduri Bhaskar, a councilor from 38th ward of Sircilla Municipality in Rajanna Sircilla district was involved in sharing fake news that two people have been affected by the virus in Siricilla town. He shared the fake news in the group created for the municipal councilors ‘Mpl Council Siricilla’.

Minutes later the message went viral creating panic among the people of the town. Immediately police swung into action and registered a case against Bhaskar and started the investigation.

Another message was in circulation saying that "DIVIS COMPANY LOKI KARONA VIRUS PRAVESINCHINDI"(Coronavirus has entered Divis Labas). It was put on the WhatsApp group of 14 wards of Choutuppal municipality. A case has been registered in this regard.

In another incident, a WhatsApp message informing that coronavirus infected people have been moved into the old Hashvitha College building at Keesaragutta road of Keesara on Hyderabad outskirts. The message was shared by Balijoinibavi Krishna Reddy, ward member representing Ward 12 of Keesara gram panchayat.

Earlier, cases were registered at Bhongir and three persons were arrested. Another case was registered at Chaitanyapuri in Hyderabad.