Haryana Police had registered 38 FIRs for spreading fake news about coronavirus.

A Tweet by Additional Director General of Police, Haryana confirms that Haryana police had registered 38 FIRs for spreading fake news about COVID-19.

A Tweet by Additional Director General of Police, Haryana confirms that Haryana police had registered 38 FIRs for spreading fake news about COVID-19.Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), Navdeep Singh Virk in a tweet on 4 April 2020 stated that the Haryana Police had registered a total of 38 FIRs for spreading fake news or rumours about coronavirus on Whatsapp and other social media platforms across the State.

The information provided on the Directorate of Information, Public Relations & Languages, Government of Haryana website also stated that 38 FIRs were registered against 36 accused. ADGP Navdeep Singh Virk said that Home Minister, Mr Anil Vij had instructed the Police Department to initiate stern action against those circulating fake, misleading and unverified information about COVID-19 on social media. He further added that all such rumour-mongers have been booked under different sections of IPC and IT Act.

The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19 including symptoms, prevention and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organisation or your national healthcare authority.