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
Delhi police officials thrashed for issuing challan to men wearing only skull cap and no helmets.
Fact
Over 8-year-old video of an incident that took place in Delhi revived amid Delhi cop-namaz row.
Nearly a-minute-long-video showing men wearing skull caps thrashing two uniformed traffic police personnel at a roadside is being widely shared on social media platforms. Those sharing the footage claim that the police officers were assaulted for issuing a challan to the motorcyclists for riding without a helmet, stating that the country faces a “greater danger from within.”
Multiple social media users shared the video with Hindi captions that read, “The fundamentalist beat up the police for issuing a challan without a helmet and wearing only a netted cap. Which is a challenge to the law. This shows what happens in India and beyond.The bitter truth is that the country faces greater danger from within. (translated via Google)
Such posts can be seen here, here, here, here, here and here.
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Fact Check/Verification
A keyword search for “mob,” “assault,” and “2 traffic police” on YouTube led us to a report by NDTV, dated July 14, 2015. Displaying a shorter version of the viral video, the report stated, “Two traffic police cops were beaten up by a crowd in northeast Delhi’s Gokulpuri after they flagged down three men on a bike for not wearing helmets and riding triple.”
Following this, we looked up the words “Delhi,” “traffic cop assault” and Gokulpuri” on Google which yielded multiple reports from July 2015, such as this, this and this, detailing the incident.
An Indian Express report on the incident quoted a senior police officer as saying, “We arrested Shahnawaz (22), his brother and their father Sagir Ahmed (65) on charges of physical assault and stopping a public servant from discharging his duty. The three, along with a few others, beat up the traffic policemen, Manoj and Jai Bhagwan… “
A report by ABP News, dated July 13, 2015, on the incident stated that the video was recorded by a witness.
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Old Video Viral Amid Delhi Cop-Namaz Row
Social media posts carrying the 2015 video have resurfaced after a controversial footage of a Delhi cop kicking people offering Namaz on road went viral last week.
Manoj Kumar Tomar, a Delhi Police Sub-Inspector, was seen kicking people offering Friday namaz on a road in north Delhi’s Inderlok area. A video of the incident prompted a major protest in the area, and invited criticism for the Delhi Police. Following which, Tomar was suspended and DCP North Manoj Meena said an inquiry into the matter has been initiated and appropriate action will be taken.
A section on social media also came in support of Tomar with “#IStandWithManojTomar” trending on X. Multiple social media users shared a video allegedly showing the accused Cop being assaulted by the mob. However, the DCP North Delhi clarified that the information in such posts “was wrong. The mentioned SI is not present in this video.”
Also Read: Old & Unrelated Video From Myanmar Passed off As Kukis Threatening To Attack Imphal
Conclusion
We could thus conclude that a video of a 2015 incident involving an assault of traffic police has been shared out of context amid ongoing Delhi Cop-Namaz row.
Result: Missing Context
Sources
YouTube Video By NDTV, Dated July 14, 2015
YouTube Video By ABP News, dated July 13, 2015
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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.
