YouTuber booked for spreading misinformation on gas supply in Rayadurg

Police have registered a case against a YouTuber for allegedly spreading false information about a cooking gas cylinder shortage in Rayadurg town of Anantapur district.

According to Superintendent of Police P. Jagadeesh, a post titled “Anantapur Rayadurg Cooking Gas Shortage. Hotels in Our Town Closed” was recently circulated on social media through a local application along with several photographs. The post claimed that there was a severe shortage of gas cylinders in Rayadurg and that hotels in the town had shut down due to the unavailability of commercial gas cylinders.

The Rayadurg police conducted a preliminary inquiry and found that the video had been created and circulated by P. Ameer Basha of Somalapuram village in D. Hirehal mandal. During the investigation, the police found that the photographs used in the video were not from Rayadurg but from other States and locations.

Police officials clarified that the images showing people waiting for gas cylinders and a woman carrying a cylinder on her head were unrelated to Rayadurg. The claim that the supply of commercial gas cylinders had completely stopped in the area was also found to be false.

During the inquiry, gas supply agencies informed the police that the supply of commercial gas cylinders in Rayadurg was continuing normally. The allegation that hotels in the town had shut down due to a gas shortage was also found to be untrue. The investigation revealed that hotels in Rayadurg were functioning as usual.

Mr. Jagadeesh said that a case had been registered against the YouTuber for spreading false information that created unnecessary panic and confusion among the public. Further investigation is under way. A case has been registered against the YouTuber at the Rayadurg Police Station under Sections 353, 196 and 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, he added.

The SP warned that posting, creating, forwarding or spreading false information or rumours on social media that mislead the public is a punishable offence under Indian law. Strict legal action will be taken against those involved in such activities, he said.