Authors
Kushel HM is a mechanical engineer-turned-journalist, who loves all things football, tennis and films. He was with the news desk at the Hindustan Times, Mumbai, before joining Newschecker.
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
Distressing video showing a German priest from ISKCON being brutally lynched by a mob in Bangladesh.
The archived version of the X post, shared by former Union minister of state Pratima Bhoumik, can be seen here.
Also Read: 500-Year-Old Torah Scroll Recovered From Bashar al-Assad’s House? No, Unrelated Video Is From 2017
Fact
Newschecker first ran a keyword search for “German ISKCON priest lynched Bangladesh”, which did not throw up any credible news reports about such an incident.
We then ran a reverse image search of keyframes of the video, which led us to this Youtube video, dated August 5, 2024, sharing visuals similar to the viral video, stating that it shows an Awami League leader who was killed in Jhenaidhe.
A corresponding search led us to this media report, dated August 6, 2024, stating that Shahidul Islam Hiron, 75, general secretary of Jhenaidah Sadar Upazila AL and chairman of the local Porahati Union, was attacked by an angry mob after he fired at a crowd outside his home, injuring several people. According to the report, the mob then set fire to his house in Stadiumpara, Jhenaidah town, killing him inside, following which they entered his house and took his body to Payra Chattar, where his burnt and naked body was hanged. Similar reports can be seen here, here and here, stating that thousands of people gathered at Payra Chattar to see the body, while several others attacked the corpse.
We then looked up Payra Chattar on Google Maps, where a comparison with the viral and Youtube video confirms that it is the same incident, especially considering the statue and circular steel frame meant to put up hoardings.
Result: False
Source
Google Maps
Report, corporatesangbad.com, August 6, 2024
Youtube video, August 5, 202
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Authors
Kushel HM is a mechanical engineer-turned-journalist, who loves all things football, tennis and films. He was with the news desk at the Hindustan Times, Mumbai, before joining Newschecker.
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.
