COIMBATORE: A DMK functionary was arrested on charges of spreading misinformation about Covid-19 in the city on Monday night.
The functionary, N J Murugesan, a ward secretary of DMK was produced before a judicial magistrate and remanded to
Coimbatore central prison
. The DMK cried hoarse alleging that Murugesan was booked because he pulled up
corporation
authorities for not spraying disinfectants properly. It was to cover up the shortcomings on the part of the administration that the authorities filed a false complaint and got him arrested, DMK MLA N Karthik said.
Murugesan was booked four counts of the IPC under section 188 (disobedience to order promulgated by civil servant), section 353 (assault of criminal force to deter civil servant from discharging duty), section 270 (doing an act likely to spread an infection dangerous to life) and 506 (1) (criminal intimidation) based on a complaint from a corporation official.
Police said Murugesan told vegetable sellers there was no need to maintain social distancing. He also picked up an argument with the corporation authorities who were involved in anti–Covid activities in the city and threatened them, police said.
However, Karthik refuted the allegations and said that Murugesan was questioning the officials for not carrying out the works properly. “Public in his locality had complained about disinfectants not sprayed properly. He raised the issue with the officials and demanded better prevention measures in their locality,’’ Karthik said.
He said they would face the issue legally in the court.
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