Thane, March 28 A 19-year-old man was detained in Thane, Maharashtra, for allegedly spreading rumors on social media claiming that a nationwide lockdown would be imposed, a police official said on Saturday.
Arham Azharuddin Ansari, who lives in the city's Mumbra area, was allowed to go after he apologized and expressed regret for his actions, police said.
Police launched an investigation after a video of Ansari surfaced online, claiming that a lockdown-like situation, similar to the one imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, would be implemented from Friday midnight.
In the clip, the young man urged citizens to "wake up in the morning and buy essential items".
"The video created unnecessary alarm, especially since citizens were already forming queues outside petrol pumps and gas agencies amid global supply concerns," a police official said.
Police tracked down the youth and detained him to prevent the further spread of misinformation, he said.
The police recorded Ansari's apology outside the Mumbra police station, where he admitted his mistake and appealed to the public not to believe or circulate such baseless claims, the official said.
While an FIR was registered after the matter came to light, officials said the youth was let off with a stern warning. "He has expressed deep regret for his actions and cooperated with the investigation," the official said.
The government has repeatedly cautioned citizens against creating or sharing unverified content on social media that could disturb public peace or lead to panic-buying of fuel amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
