Hoax news on Saalumarada Thimmakka: Cab driver held
Bengaluru, May 29: Cyber Crime Branch police have arrested a cab driver on charges of spreading the rumour that Saalumarada Thimmakka was died on social media on May 25.
The arrested is identified as Pradeep (26) of Haradanahalli in Saligrama hobli of Mysuru. He is residing at Balaji Layout in Byadarahalli in Bengaluru.
The CCB police said that the accused has seen the hoax news on Dr Saalumarada Thimmakka posted in a Facebook account ‘Manassugala Maatu Madhura’ and from his account, he shared it into another group called ‘Snehaloka’. The accused is also a member of ‘Manassugala Maatu Madhura’ group. They have got information about other members of the group and investigating it, the police said.
CCB police have booked a complaint on May 25 against those who spread hoax news that the renowned environmental activist was dead in the social media. Based on the complaint from Thimmakka’s adopted son Umesh to the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner T Suneel Kumar, the CCB police have registered the case against the accused.
CCB police said that the users of social media should confirm about the news or posts before liking, sharing and tagging whether there genuine of not. If not, they would attract legal consequences, they said.
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Chikkamagaluru: A man allegedly impersonating an IAS officer managed to gain the confidence of officials and staff at the district hospital in Chikkamagaluru, attending meetings and public events before his identity came under suspicion.
According to a report by Deccan Herald, the accused, identified as Mithun, introduced himself as the Commissioner of the National Health Mission (NHM) and district in-charge for Chikkamagaluru. He also claimed to be a native of Chikkaballekere village in Kadur taluk.
Believing his claims, District Surgeon Dr Chandrashekar reportedly introduced Mithun to other officials. Photographs of Mithun attending meetings at the district hospital and being felicitated by religious leaders at a Basava Tatva Peetha programme have since circulated widely on social media.
Dr Chandrashekar said he had trusted Mithun based on his conduct and presentation. He said he initially believed that Mithun was an IAS officer from a rural background who had cleared the examination through hard work, and only later realised that he was allegedly an impostor.
The incident has also triggered allegations from the Lisa Foundation, which has sought action against Dr Chandrashekar. The organisation claimed that Mithun was introduced to medical shop owners through him and alleged that Mithun had promised a ₹1.80 crore contract for supplying medicines to Primary Health Centres in the district. The foundation has demanded suspension of the District Surgeon and a detailed inquiry.
Chikkamagaluru Medical College Dean Dr Ravi said Mithun was not known to him and had not conducted any official meetings. He said he had seen Mithun once in the District Surgeon’s room and was told that he was a probationary IAS officer, but had doubts about his identity.
Following the incident, BJP workers staged a protest in the city, accusing the administration of negligence and demanding action against the District Surgeon for introducing the alleged fake officer.
Meanwhile, a case has been registered at the Amruthahalli Police Station in Bengaluru based on a complaint filed by medical shop owner S G Satish. The complaint states that Mithun was introduced through Dr Chandrashekar and that ₹36 lakh was allegedly paid as a bribe in his presence, along with an additional ₹5 lakh transferred to Mithun’s bank account.
Dr Chandrashekar said he has appeared before the police to give his statement as his name figures in the complaint. He also claimed that Mithun had cheated him and said he would file a separate complaint with the Chikkamagaluru police.
