Don't arrest me': Booked for spreading rumours on Jaya health, activist moves SC

New Delhi: A social activist from Tamil Nadu moved Supreme Court on Friday seeking protection from arrest after an FIR was lodged against him for allegedly spreading rumours about the health condition of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

The activist, K R 'Traffic' Ramaswamy, in his application also sought release of eight persons arrested for allegedly spreading rumours about the chief minister's health condition, who is undergoing treatment at Apollo Hospitals in Chennai.

A bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra agreed to hear the application on October 24, after advocate G S Mani, appearing for Ramaswamy urged the court for urgent hearing.

In his application, Ramaswamy said the eight persons have been arrested illegally under different sections of the IPC for allegedly criticising the Tamil Nadu government.

He claimed that the Supreme Court has also pulled up Tamil Nadu government for lodging "frivolous" defamation cases against political opponents.

In his plea, Ramaswany said the police had booked him and others under various sections of IPC including charges for inciting class or community to commit an offence. The activist has also sought quashing of an FIR lodged against him by the state police.

Meanwhile, a bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur has dismissed his appeal against the Madras High Court order in which he has sought a detailed report from the government on the health conditions of the Chief Minister.