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
Man beheaded his sister’s rapist, and carried the severed head to a police station.
Fact
Man killed his friend over inappropriate comments on his mother in Karnataka’s Mandya in 2018.
Amid widespread outrage over the heinous rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital, a set of three photographs showing a man holding a severed head is going viral on social media platforms. Those sharing the collage claim that the man seen in the images beheaded his sister’s rapist, and carried the severed head to the police station. Newschecker, however, found the claim to be untrue.
Multiple X and Facebook users shared the collage claiming, “His sister was raped the next thing he did is he chopped the rapist head and took his head to the police station.”
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
Fact Check/Verification
A Google lens search on the viral collage led us to a report by Sakshi Post, dated October 1, 2018, titled ‘Man Cuts Off Friend’s Head, Takes It To Police Station.’ Carrying a photograph of the same man, the report elaborated, “A quarrel turned violent as a man chopped off the head of his friend, Girish in Mandya district…Pashupati, beheaded Girish’s head in a quarrel over objectionable comments on the former’s mother.”
Elaborating on the incident, a report by The Hindu from September 2018, stated “The incident occurred at Chikka Hebbagilu in Belakawadi police station limits, near Malavalli of the district. Adding that Pashupati confessed to the crime and surrendered. “Lewd comments by Girish on Pashupathi’s mother was said to be the motive behind the crime, said the police. An axe that was used by the accused to chop the body was also recovered from the spot. Pashupathi has been arrested,” it further stated.
Also Read: Kolkata RG Kar Horror – Viral Claim Of ‘Reclaim The Night’ Protester Being Raped And Murdered Found To Be False
“We are investigating the incident, but the accused and the victim were good friends. It appears that the victim died in the morning, just before his head was brought to the station. He (Pashupathi) informed the police officials that Girish spoke ill of his mother, which triggered a fight between the two,” The News Minute report quoted the then SP Mandya, Shivaprakash Devaraj as saying on the incident.
A Times of India report featured the entire video showing Pashupati carrying the severed head of the victim to the police station. “The incident took place on September 29…According to police, the accused said that Girish had spoken ill of his mother which sparked a clash between the two. Later, he allegedly beheaded him and surrendered before the police. The police officials are probing the incident,” it stated.
Also Read: Viral Video Of Virat Kohli’s Remarks On Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder Case Is Old & Unrelated
Conclusion
Hence, viral posts claiming that a man beheaded his sister’s rapist, and carried his severed head to the police station are false.
Result: False
Sources
Report By Sakshi Post, Dated October 1, 2018
Report By The News Minute, Dated September 29, 2018
Report By Times of India, Dated October 3, 2018
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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.
