The Crime Branch of the Goa Police arrested 35-year-old Kenneth Silveira for spreading fake news surrounding the health of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who is still undergoing treatment for a pancreatic ailment in the United States.
Silveira was picked up from the South Goa’s Vasco port town on Wednesday. Following interrogation that ran for several hours, the police arrested him under Section 505 of the Indian Penal Code (IPL).
“He will be produced before a magistrate tomorrow (Thursday),” Superintendent of Police (Crime Branch) Karthik Kashyap told reporters in Panaji.
Silveira is accused of posting fake news on Facebook on Tuesday in which he claimed that “Parrikar is no more”. He, however, admitted his mistake after a flood of commentators drew attention to his folly.
Silveira had contested against Parrikar as an independent candidate in the Panaji bypoll in August 2017. A complaint against him was reportedly filed by Deepak Mhapshekar, president of Panaji mandal of BJP.
BJP leader and Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral had on Tuesday said that the health of the CM has shown sign of improvements. Last week, Goa BJP general secretary Sadanand Tanavade had said that Parrikar is likely to return next month.
Parrikar, who complained of stomach pain on 14 February, was admitted to Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai the next day.
He was discharged on 22 February and presented Budget in the Goa Assembly on the same day upon return.
Later, he was again admitted to Lilavati Hospital on 5 March, from where he was taken to the US.
A cabinet advisory committee, consisting of senior ministers, has been authorised to take decisions in his absence.