COVID-19 Lockdown: Odisha youth arrested for spreading false information on social media

Balasore: A 26-year-old youth was arrested by Remuna police in Balasore district today for allegedly spreading fake news about the coronavirus lockdown norms. Police claimed the youth identified as Siva Sankar Parida alias Sibu had posted fabricated information on COVID-19 on his social media profile.

As per reports, Parida, a resident of Kharidmukhura village in the district, posted a message on his Facebook account about the timing of shops to be remained open the during lockdown. He had also attached a photograph of the district Collector in the post.  Following verification, it was found that the message posted was false.

“It is a criminal activity of that person for spreading of misinformation on social media creating panic in the society,” said police.

The youth was later booked under Sections 188, 182, 290, 271 and 505 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and will be produced before court.

In a related development, the Supreme Court of India directed the Governments to  take action against fake news as it is more harmful than the virus.