Coronavirus: Pune cops file case for spread of false info

An unidentified person was booked on Monday by the Pune Police under various sections of the IPC and the Disaster Management Act for allegedly spreading false information regarding novel coronavirus infection.

Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad township have reported 16 cases as on Sunday, the highest in Maharashtra.

The unidentified person had sent messages to Pune Divisional Commissioner Deepak Mhaisekar claiming that a person tested positive for COVID-19 is staying in a hotel in Koregaon Park area of the city.

"Upon verifying the claims, no such patient was found at the hotel," said a police officer.

Subsequently, a case was registered under sections 182 (false information) and 188 (disobedience to the order duly promulgated by public servant of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and under relevant sections of the Disaster Management Act, he said.

The district administration has already warned of action against anybody found spreading rumours, false information and revealing the identity of COVID-19 patients.

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