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
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said that his party’s government will grant clean chit to Dawood Ibrahim.
Fact
Video found to be digitally altered.
A video of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut purportedly saying that his party’s government would grant a clean chit to underworld don and terrorist Dawood Ibrahim if voted to power has surfaced online ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly Polls. Newschecker, however, found the video to be manipulated.
In the 3-second-long-clip, Raut is allegedly heard saying in Hindi, “Our government will, one day, give a clean chit to Dawood Ibrahim too.” The text overlay in the footage stated, “Uddhav Thackeray’s new promise to Muslims. Thackeray will fulfil Pawar’s dream and give a clean chit to Dawood after coming to power (translated from Marathi via Google).”
Such posts can be seen here and here.
Also Read: Did Sanjay Raut Say That Uddhav Thackeray Will Pay Higher Remittances To Muslim Women?
Fact Check/Verification
A keyword search for “Sanjay Raut,” “Dawood Ibrahim,” and “clean chit” on Google, which did not yield any credible report on such an announcement by the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader.
We, however, found a video report by Marathi outlet Pudhari News, dated October 23, 2024, featuring Raut’s press conference. Around 12:49 minutes in the video, a reporter is heard asking, “…the government has given the SEBI Chief a clean chit in the Hindenburg case…”
Raut is then heard saying, “…this government will, one day, give clean chit to Dawood Ibrahim too. They take help during elections, such as Ram Rahim and others.” He further added that there were many others such as Chota Shakeel and Dawood Ibrahim who could receive a clean chit from the centre.
He then says that such documents are already “printed, and they just add names…put the PMO stamp…clean chit, certified…They can do anything.”
Also Read: 2024 Maharashtra Polls – Viral Video Showing Devendra Fadnavis’ Fierce Attack On Owaisi Is Old
On comparing the viral clip with the footage from the press conference, we found Raut’s hand gestures, attire and background to be identical.
The audio, however, was found to be manipulated. We noticed that the words “this government” were replaced by “our government” in the viral footage to falsely claim that Raut promised to grant a clean chit to Dawood Ibrahim if Shiv Sena (UBT) forms government.
This press conference was also streamed by news agency ANI on October 23, 2024, which also featured Raut’s same remarks on the centre in response to a question about a clean chit to SEBI Chief Madhabi Puri Buch.
Buch, who was accused of conflict of interest and financial misconduct by the US short-seller Hindenburg Research and the Congress party, was reportedly cleared in a government-led probe in October, 2024.
Not The First Time
Raut had made similar remarks after Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Waikar was granted a clean chit in a hotel redevelopment case. “What else can happen? Now the only one left to receive a clean chit is Dawood. Ravindra Waikar deserted Uddhav Thackeray to join the Shinde group out of fear of the ED,” Raut was quoted as saying in an ANI report from July, 2024.
Conclusion
Hence, a video claiming to show Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut saying that his party’s government will grant a clean chit to Dawood Ibrahim if voted to power was found to be digitally manipulated.
Result: Altered Video
Sources
YouTube Video By Pudhari News, Dated October 23, 2024
YouTube Video By ANI, Dated October 23, 2024
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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.
