Coronavirus Mumbai Police: Don't spread rumours on Whatsapp else Mumbai Police will take strict action.
Considering the trying times the country & the world is facing due to the spread of COVID-19 & to further curb any instances of the spread of misleading content on messaging apps, Mumbai Police has come out with stricter rules for group admins of Whatsapp. According to the new regulations by the officials, spread of any content that creates panic amongst people, that is considered to be derogatory or misleading towards particular communities, something that creates confusion among people or encourages mistrust towards the government or its measures, strict action will be taken against the group admins of such Whatsapp groups. And, the admins would also be liable for prosecution.
In order to do this & forbid individuals from spreading false information via different social media platforms & messaging apps like Whatsapp, Mumbai police issued a prohibitory order under section 144 of the CRPC. The circular warning that was issued on Friday, said that admins of groups & social media platforms would be held responsible for passing on misleading information.
The circular which has been signed by Pranaya Ashok, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) states that there is an extensive circulation of fake & incorrect news that has been spread across various social media platforms & messaging apps. The order states, “Such type of content has been found to have caused panic, confusion among the general public, inciting mistrust towards government functionaries and their actions taken to control the COVID-19 pandemic and also to have created animosity towards various communities. All persons designated as “Admin” on messaging and social media platforms, either by self or by allowing any member of the group, shall be personally responsible for any such information being disseminated from a group administered by them.” It also states that it would be the group admin's personal responsibility to inform the police if any false or misleading information is being spread in their group. Any person who fails to follow the regulations would be persecuted under section 188 of the IPC.
So, any content that is derogatory, discriminating or distorting facts would be dealt with seriously & would lead to stricter actions against admins under relevant laws. The said order which came into effect on April 10 midnight will remain in force till April 24.