Defence counsel says defendant was released
Morung Express News
Dimapur | December 27
The Cyber Crime Police Station, PHQ, Kohima arrested one Dietho Rhakho in connection to the circulation of a “fake news” proclaiming the resignation of the Chief Minister and his team of Cabinet Ministers. SP Crime & PRO of the Police Headquarters, Kohima in a press release, informed that Rhakho, who is the Working president of the Dimapur District Congress Committee, “was arrested for creating and posting the fake/forged letter.” The arrest occurred on December 23.
The arrest occurred a day after the accused petitioned the Principal District & Sessions Court, Kohima on December 22 for Anticipatory Bail. The Anticipatory Bail was granted till January 15, 2018 with the Court directing the petitioner to “report before the investigating agency and cooperate.” In the event of his arrest, the court directive further stated, “he should be forthwith release(d) on bail bond of Rs. 10,000/- with surety of a bailor.”
The release from the PHQ said that a “fake letter with the forged signature of the Chief Minister, Nagaland went viral on Social Media, especially on WhatsApp and Facebook on 20th December 2017 creating much confusion in the State.” The same day, the Chief Minister’s Office filed an FIR at the Cyber Crime PS. A case under IPC Sections 417/ 419/ 465/ 468/ 469/ 500/501/ 505 read with Section 66(D) of the IT Act was registered and investigation taken up, the release added.
While stating that the accused admitted to creating and circulating the “fake/forged letter,” the release said that the Cyber Crime police found evidence linking the letter to the originator. It further stated that two persons, said to be among the first to post the fake letter, were summoned for questioning on December 22. They were released after ascertaining that they only reposted the letter “and were not the source,” it added.
The release while acknowledging the usefulness of social media apps, advised users against using the medium with malicious intent.
Meanwhile, the counsel for the accused/petitioner informed that Rhakho reported to the Cyber Crime PS on December 23 after he was summoned. He was arrested and subsequently released after producing a copy of the order from the court containing the granting of Anticipatory Bail.
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