The police have registered a case against an unidentified person after a post on social media platform X claimed that “cracks” have started appearing on the Statue of Unity in Gujarat and it can “fall anytime”, an official said on Tuesday.
The 182-metre tall statue, built at Kevadia in Narmada district as a tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first home minister of independent India, is a major tourist attraction.
A post written in Hindi on the handle “RaGa4India” at 9.52 am on September 8 stated that the statue “can fall anytime as cracks have started appearing on it”
The post also carried an old photograph of the structure, which appeared to be from the time of its construction.
The post is unavailable for viewing as the X user has since deleted it.
A case was registered under section 353 (1) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) pertaining to making, publishing or circulating any statement, false information, rumour, or report, etc, to cause fear or alarm to the public, the official said.
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The statue, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October 2018, sees heavy footfall of tourists.
Police File Case After Social Media Post Claims Statue of Unity is Crumbling
The police have filed a case against an unidentified individual following a social media post on platform X that alleged “cracks” were appearing on the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, suggesting it could “fall anytime.” The statue, which stands 182 meters tall in Kevadia, Narmada district, is a prominent tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first Home Minister of independent India, and a major tourist attraction.
On September 8 at 9:52 a.m., a Hindi-language post from the account “RaGa4India” claimed the statue was at risk of collapse due to cracks. The post included an old photograph of the statue, seemingly from the time of its construction. The post has since been removed and is no longer viewable.
A case has been registered under Section 353(1) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), which addresses the making, publishing, or circulating of false information or rumors intended to create fear or alarm among the public.
The Statue of Unity, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October 2018, attracts a significant number of tourists annually.
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