Fake FB post accused granted bail

Panaji, April 20 (IANS) A court here on Friday granted bail to Kenneth Silveira who was arrested for posting fake information about ailing Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s death on Facebook, even as civil society members protested outside Goa Police headquarters to condemn his arrest.

Kenneth, 35, was arrested by the Crime Branch on Wednesday, a day after he put up the post on social media, on a complaint by a BJP office-bearer.

Parrikar is undergoing treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer in the US.

On Friday, a few dozen protesters rallied at the police headquarters and accused police of trying to "muzzle" free speech.

The Opposition has also criticised the police for the arrest of Silveira, who contested the 2017 by-poll in Panaji but lost to Parrikar.