Jayalalithaa is in hospital for over three weeks; 50 cases filed against people for spreading "rumours"
Highlights
- Chief Minister in hospital for three weeks, no medical bulletin in 7 days
- 50 police cases filed against people for posting online "rumours"
- Special team of cyber experts tracking online talk about her condition
For a week, neither doctors nor Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's party have shared updates on her health, but the police has made it clear it will tolerate no loose talk; a team of cyber experts will track, identify and punish those posting rumours or misinformation on social media in Tamil Nadu.
50 criminal cases have been filed in the last few weeks and eight people have been arrested, including two men who work at a bank in Coimbatore. They asked a customer at the bank who is from Ms Jayalalithaa's party about her health and then allegedly made remarks that exaggerated the Chief Minister's condition.
"Users of social media are advised not to spread false, malicious and motivated information regarding the health condition of the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Stern action will be taken against the culprits, if any such content is noticed," said the police, warning that the maximum punishment is seven years in jail.
Ms Jayalalithaa, 68, was admitted to Apollo Hospital in Chennai on September 22 when her party said she had fever and was dehydrated. But doctors later confirmed that she's on respiratory support with a lung infection. A UK specialist has flown down three times to supervise her treatment. A trio of doctors from Delhi's AIIMS hospital also travelled to Chennai to check on the Chief Minister.
Governor Vidyasagar Rao had reportedly recommended that regular updates on Ms Jayalalithaa be made public to avoid speculation that could anger or upset the lakhs of supporters who refer to her as "Amma" and indulge in violent protests when they believe she is being challenged or undermined.
Last week, the departments that Ms Jayalalithaa personally supervises were transferred to loyalist O Panneerselvam, though the Governor's statement that this was done "on the advice" of the Chief Minister has been challenged by opposition leaders who have hinted that they believe she is not fit enough to take decisions.
The ruling AIADMK, however, has said that Ms Jayalalithaa remains updated on - and has contributed to - crucial matters of governance including a seething water dispute with neighbouring Karnataka which is being fought in the Supreme Court.
Though the AIADMK says its chief is not critically unwell, doctors a week ago said she must stay in hospital for longer to recover.