Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Claim
Several social media users shared a 30-second-long-video claiming that a woman’s hand was severed while boarding a bus through the window in Karnataka’s Hullenahalli. Those sharing the claim further linked the incident to the Shakti Scheme- free bus travel for women- by the newly elected Congress government in the state.
Such posts can be seen here, here and here.
Also Read: Karnataka Man’s Assault Of Electricity Official Falsely Linked To Congress’s ‘Free Power’ Promise
Fact
On careful analysis of the viral footage, we noticed “KSRTC” written on the bus in addition to a Karnataka vehicle number. However, Google search with relevant keywords did not yield any credible reports on the alleged incident in Karnataka.
We reached out to the KSRTC Chief PRO, Dr Latha T.S who refuted the viral claim linking the incident to Karnataka government’s Shakti scheme. She further clarified that the woman’s arm was severed in an accident between the bus and a lorry.
“On 18 June, a KSRTC bus of Nanjangud depot of Chamarajanagar division was operating on the Nanjangud-T.Narasipura route near Basavarajpura. At around 1.45 p.m, a lorry bearing the number TN77 Q8735, speeding in a rash and negligent manner in the opposite direction, hit the bus on the rear right side,” she informed.
“This resulted in injuries to two women passengers sitting on the window side of the bus. Due to the accident, S. Shanta Kumari’s right hand got severed and Rajamma Nayaka got severe injuries on her right hand. KSRTC officers visited the spot and admitted the injured to the government hospital at Nanjangud for first aid and later shifted them to Apollo Hospital in Mysuru for further treatment. An FIR is lodged against the lorry driver at Biligere Police Station,” the PRO said.
The PRO also shared the photographs of the vehicles involved in the accident with Newschecker.
The officials at the Biligere Police Station also confirmed to us that a woman had lost her arm, while another was injured in the accident.
Also Read: Karnataka Congress MLA ‘Dictating Terms’ To Police? Here’s The Truth Behind Viral Video
Newschecker also accessed a copy of the FIR filed at the Biligere Police Station in the matter. The FIR copy corroborated with details of the incident shared by the PRO, however, we noticed a mix-up in the names of victims. While the PRO said that Shanta Kumari’s arm was severed, and Rajamma suffered injuries, it was the other way round in the FIR copy.
We could thus conclude that the viral post claiming that a woman’s arm was cut off while attempting to enter a bus from the window in Karnataka’s Hullenahalli (Mandya district) is false. The victim’s arm was severed after a speeding lorry hit a bus in Mysuru district. The video of an accident has been falsely shared to show the consequences of the free-bus travel scheme for women by the newly elected Congress government in Karnataka.
Result: False
Sources
Contact With KSRTC Chief PRO On June 26, 2023
Contact With Officials At Biligere Police Station On June 26, 2023
If you would like us to fact-check a claim, give feedback, or lodge a complaint, WhatsApp us at 9999499044 or email us at checkthis@newschecker.in. You can also visit the Contact Us page and fill out the form.
Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
