A court in Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh district has handed down a significant prison sentence to a man for attempting to disrupt public order by spreading malicious rumours. The Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court sentenced the accused to two years and nine months of simple imprisonment in a case related to providing false information to the police.
The False Alarm That Triggered the Case
The incident dates back to January 5, 2023, when the accused, identified as Vikas Singh alias Vicky Thakur, made a call to the emergency police number 112. Singh, a resident of Newada Kala under Antu police station in Pratapgarh district, reported that a murder had taken place in the Mubarakpur township area. Police teams swiftly responded to the location, only to find the information was completely false and fabricated.
Investigators noted that Singh promptly switched off the mobile number used to make the call after registering the false complaint. A deeper probe under Operation Conviction revealed that the same phone number had been used previously to provide misleading information to other police stations as well.
Police Investigation and Legal Action
Following this discovery, a formal First Information Report (FIR) was lodged at the Mubarakpur police station. The complaint was filed by Police Sub-Inspector Rajiv Kumar Singh under sections 182 (False information) and 505(1)B (Statements conducing to public mischief) of the Indian Penal Code.
Azamgarh Superintendent of Police Anil Kumar stated that the prosecution pursued the investigation against Vikas Singh effectively. After identifying and arresting him, police filed a chargesheet in court. During the trial, six witnesses were examined before the CJM court.
Motive and Wider Implications
During questioning, Vikas Singh disclosed his motive. He revealed he was upset with a relative and sought to frame him in a criminal case. To achieve this, he made multiple false calls not only to Mubarakpur police station but also to Gambhirpur and other stations, naming his relative in those calls.
The court delivered its verdict on November 2, sentencing him to imprisonment. Singh is currently lodged at the Sonbhadra jail. This case highlights the serious legal consequences of misusing emergency services and spreading rumours that can threaten communal harmony and public peace.
The successful conviction is seen as a result of the focused Operation Conviction drive by police, aimed at ensuring timely legal conclusions in such sensitive cases. Authorities have reiterated that making false complaints to police, especially those that can incite social tension, is a serious offence with strict penalties.
