Police on Tuesday arrested a self-proclaimed astrologer for terrorising the public by spreading rumours about a possible earthquake.

The Metropolitan Police Range, Kathmandu arrested Arjun Chhetri from Gaushala.

According to police, Chhetri had claimed that an earthquake of high magnitude would hit Nepal soon through a video which surfaced over social media including YouTube.

“Chhetri is being interrogated and will face action as per the prevailing laws,” Senior Superintendent of Police Uttam Raj Subedi, chief of the range, told the Post. Chhetri’s claim of an earthquake is also said to be against the Disaster Risk and Management Act-2017.

Clause 14 of the Act states that no one can circulate false claims about any natural disaster as it would create an environment of fear among the public.

As per the clause, any individual found to be violating the provision can face a jail sentence up to six months or a fine up to Rs100,000 or both.

Any reference to earthquake still continues to scare the general public that witnessed a massive earthquake four years ago.

A 7.8 magnitude earthquake that hit the country on April 25, 2015 killed nearly 9,000 people and injured more than 20,000.

Thousands of aftershocks have been recorded since then.

“It’s a matter of huge concern, as such unfounded claims about disasters instill fear in people. That’s why Chhetri was arrested,” said Subedi.