The Delhi Police has registered a case after “fake news” related to the Lok Sabha poll schedule started circulating on social media, officers said on Friday.
A case was registered by the Special Cell on the basis of a complaint by the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), a senior police officer said. Requests for removal of the content have been sent to Facebook and Twitter, he added.
The Election Commission had on Thursday directed the Delhi CEO to ask the city police to investigate the fake news regarding the Lok Sabha poll schedule being circulated on social media since one week.
The Office of the CEO had on Thursday issued a letter to the police, asking them to investigate the matter and take “immediate necessary action”.
“It is brought to your notice that fake news related to the schedule of general election 2019 has been found in circulation on various social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, etc.,” the letter reads.
The Delhi CEO’s Office said publication of such fake news was causing confusion among the public, thereby creating “public nuisance and mischief”.
“Accordingly, I am directed to request you to investigate the matter and take immediate necessary actions against unnamed persons and entities under relevant laws,” it said. Action taken in this regard “may be informed to the undersigned for perusal of the CEO, Delhi, and onwards submission to the Election Commission,” the letter, written by a senior official, said.
