Kerala Minister Hits Back: Police Called in Over Viral Facebook Claim of Inflated Hospital Bill
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala – Kerala's Finance Minister is embroiled in a controversy after a Facebook page posted allegations claiming he fraudulently sought reimbursement of a staggering Rs 1.91 lakh (approximately AUD 3,500) for just one day's medical treatment at a government medical college. The Minister's office has responded swiftly, filing a police complaint against the page in a bid to clear his name and investigate the source of the damaging claims.
The viral post, which quickly spread across social media, alleged that the Minister submitted a bill for a single day’s treatment, far exceeding what would be considered reasonable. Screenshots of the purported bill were included, further fueling the online debate. The accusations have sparked widespread discussion and scrutiny, with many questioning the authenticity of the bill and the motives behind the Facebook page's post.
“We have filed a police complaint against the Facebook page for spreading false and defamatory information. This is a clear attempt to tarnish the Minister’s reputation and mislead the public,” a spokesperson for the Minister’s office stated. “We are confident that a thorough investigation will reveal the truth and expose those responsible for this malicious campaign.”
The police are now investigating the Facebook page and its administrators to determine the origin of the post and whether it was intentionally designed to mislead. They will also be examining the authenticity of the bill itself, potentially contacting the medical college to verify the treatment details and associated costs.
This incident highlights the growing challenge of misinformation and disinformation spreading rapidly through social media platforms. While social media provides a powerful platform for public discourse, it also presents a risk of false allegations and reputational damage, as demonstrated in this case. The Minister's decision to involve the police underscores the seriousness with which he is treating these accusations.
The outcome of the police investigation will be closely watched, as it could set a precedent for how public figures respond to online defamation and the role of social media platforms in combating the spread of false information. The case also raises questions about the responsibility of social media users to verify information before sharing it and the potential consequences of spreading baseless accusations.
The Minister has not yet commented publicly on the matter beyond the official statement released by his office. However, it is anticipated that he will address the allegations directly in the coming days. The situation remains fluid, and further updates are expected as the police investigation progresses.
