The Tamil Nadu government has booked a case against veteran Actor and Former Television newsreader Varadharajan after the latter had spoken about the non-availability of beds in the private hospitals in Chennai to treat COVID-19 patients. 

The Health Department, which lodged a complaint in the Central Crime Branch, has cited that the actor has shared falsified and misleading information which is against the government and he has been booked under the grounds of the Epidemic Diseases Act, hours after state health minister Vijayabaskar has stated that action would be taken against the actor.

On Monday, Varadharajan has released a video on social media in which he expressed his anxiety over what he has experienced in the hospitals while accompanying his family friend for COVID-19 treatment. In the video, he said his friend had developed difficulty in breathing on Monday following which he was rushed to the hospital.

The actor stated that, however, there is no availability of beds in all the hospitals they approached. By claiming that they approached major private and government hospitals in the city, the actor said the hospitals told him not to bring the patient as they can't give treatments. He added that he has reached out to the chairmen of the hospitals and secretary-level officers of the government, but nobody couldn't help them. 

However, while addressing the reporters on Monday, Vijayabaskar has denied what the actor has said on the availability of beds. The Health Minister asserted that the city has enough beds to treat COVID-19 patients. According to the minister, the government hospitals in the city have availability of 5000. Vijayabaskar said that the action would be taken against the actor under the grounds of the Epidemic Diseases Act for spreading falsified information.

Following the minister's statement, the health department has filed a complaint in the Central Crime Branch on Monday following which the actor has been booked under sections 153- spreading rumor, 199- disobedience to the order, 505 (1)(b) - intentionally spreading fake news of IPC and section 3 of Epidemic Diseases Act. After the dispute, Varadharajan said that the Central and state governments are fully working to contain the spread and everyone must extend co-operation to the governments. 

Must read: Availability of COVID-19 beds: Actor's claim and Minister's denial! What's behind the conflict?