HYDERABAD: An attempt to spread rumours about a people’s representative landed two youngsters behind the bars here Tuesday. The accused Sheikh Emrann of Balanagar and his friend Mohd. Rasheed alias Mohd Zubair Ahmed Khan admitted to the crime and informed the police that they created the message for fun.
The accused had spread a false message on Facebook announcing the demise of Yakutpura MLA Mumtaz Ahmed Khan.
Sheikh Emrann (20), who was traced and taken into custody, told police that he had received the message over WhatsApp from a friend, Mohd Rasheed. Mohd. Rasheed admitted to the crime. He had forwarded the message to members of his WhatsApp group.
Mohd Rasheed told police that he did it for fun. He had received a similar message on WhatsApp announcing the death of the man who had attacked MIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi. Taking inspiration from the same, he had created the message.
According to Police, Emrann who used to run a fish fry stall in Bansilalpet has been at home for over three months after he contracted TB. The other accused Rasheed works at a grocery shop in Paigah colony, Begumpet.
The complainant Mohd Iftiqar Iqbal of Yakutpura requested to initiate necessary action as the family members, relatives and sympathizers of the MLA went into shock and depression after reading the message.
Speaking at a press conference, V Satyanarayana, deputy commissioner of Police, said that hoax messages were creating panic among the public. “Such fake messages could even force people to end their lives. A case was registered against them, on the charge of abetting suicide,” said the DCP.