Tirupattur police arrested Gopi (33) on Thursday, for allegedly spreading rumours of dengue outbreak and officials from discharging their duty.
Police said he called the office of the deputy director of Public Health of Tirupattur Health Unit Division on Thursday morning and alerted him that around 60 villagers were infected with dengue.
On information, health officials attached to Tirupattur rushed to provide medical care for the villagers. However, they found the call was a hoax. Gopi also tried to stop health dept officials from screening the villagers, police said. Following a complaint, police registered a case against Gopi under section 505(1)(b) (statements conducing to public mischief) and 353 (deter public servant from discharging of his or her duty) of IPC. He was sent to prison.