Police on Friday arrested two people for allegedly circulating rumours on social networking sites on the health status of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and warned that spreading such rumours is an offence, for which law prescribes imprisonment of over seven years.
In the latest arrest for posting rumours, police said, 28-year-old Mani Selvam, a bank employee, hailing from Ottapidaram Taluk, Tuticorin, and 42-year-old Bala Sundaram hailing from Pammal, Chennai, were arrested on Friday.
Fifty cases have been registered for posting malicious and false content regarding the health condition of the Chief Minister on the social media so far.Central Crime Branch press release
The release added that posting such statements on social networking sites was a "violation of law".
Police have formed a special team comprising cyber experts to monitor such comments posted on social networking sites.
In another instance, two more Canara bank employees were arrested in Coimbatore for spreading rumours and talking about AIDMK chief in a derogatory manner.
The arrest was based on a complaint by Punitha Devi, a customer of the bank who heard them speaking about Amma. She even alleged that when she questioned them, they threatened her. They are charged with using obscene words in public and threatening a woman.
(With inputs from PTI and The Hindu)
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