T’puram: Thiruvananthapuram city police have registered a case after a fake govt order claiming that the summer school vacation was curtailed was widely circulated on social media, triggering confusion among students, parents and teachers. Thiruvananthapuram city cyber police initiated the action on Saturday night based on a complaint lodged by V Vasuki, secretary of the general education department. According to the FIR, the forged document was designed to appear as an official order issued by the department and even carried the state govt emblem, lending it a misleading sense of authenticity. Police said the fake order spread rapidly across multiple online platforms, including messaging apps and groups on social media platforms, leading to concern among school communities about a sudden change in the academic calendar. Several schools reportedly received queries from anxious parents seeking clarification. City police commissioner K Karthick said a detailed investigation has been launched to identify those responsible. “We are closely monitoring multiple social media accounts and digital footprints linked to the circulation of the fake order,” he told TOI, adding that efforts are underway to trace the origin of the message. Following the incident, the general education department issued an official clarification stating that no decision was taken to shorten the summer vacation and urged the public not to fall prey to misinformation. The case has been registered under relevant sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the IT Act, including provisions related to forgery, impersonation and spreading false information electronically. Police officers reiterated the need for the public to verify govt announcements through official sources before sharing them online, warning that strict action would be taken against those involved in creating or disseminating fake documents.
