PANJIM: Crime Branch (CB) is likely to seek the help of WhatsApp to track the source of the message that gave false news about the health of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and went viral, triggering panic.
“CB has recorded the statements of 20 people, including the journalist who had posted the message about the CM’s health on WhatsApp news service. We are yet to track the source of the message. If required, we will take the help of WhatsApp to gather evidence and proceed with the investigation,” an officer said.
CB intends to question more recipients of the message as the probe continues. “Our investigation will continue till the source of the message is tracked. More people will be questioned in the coming days,” he said.
Police last week had detained a local journalist in connection with an alleged false news item about Parrikar’s health. The CM, at that time was undergoing treatment at Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai for pancreatitis and was thereafter discharged last Friday.
