Authors
Social media users shared a photograph of BJP’s Dilip Ghosh admitted in a hospital with the text, “Meeting COVID Positive Dilip Ghosh without wearing any Mask. Only BJP Leaders can Show Such Courage.”
Ghosh’s bed ridden photograph with a claim of not wearing a mask amid the covid pandemic was shared by other social media users as well.
Ghosh’s photograph in context was also used in news reports by Banglanewslive, Aajbanglay, Dailyjagoran, and Deshebideshe in the past week.
Fact Check/ Verification
The claim in context began circulating after Dilip Ghosh, West Bengal state BJP president, tested positive for COVID-19. On 17 October, an NDTV article quoted, “”He is having 102-degree fever and undergoing treatment. He is being treated for the disease. His oxygen saturation level is fine. There is nothing to worry about,” a senior doctor at the hospital said.”
On 18 October, Ghosh thanked his well wishers for concerns about his health.
A Google reverse image search of the photograph in context led us to a January 2018 article on Kolkata 24*7. This article included the exact image of Ghosh on a hospital bed as shown in the claim.
According to the 2018 DNAIndia and Indian Express articles, Ghosh was hospitalised after experiencing severe low back pain. “Hospital authorities, in a press statement, said that primary diagnosis showed prolapsed invertebral disc and that an MRI had been done.”
On observing AMRI hospital written in the photograph behind Ghosh’s hospital bed, we’ve reached out to them for clarification on the image.
This copy will be updated when we receive a response from them.
Conclusion
The viral photograph of BJP’s Dilip Ghosh admitted in a hospital is not from his recent admission after testing positive for COVID-19. The image is from 2018.
Result: Misplaced Context
Our Sources
NDTV: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bengal-bjp-chief-dilip-ghosh-tests-positive-for-covid-19-2311437
Dilip Ghosh: https://twitter.com/DilipGhoshBJP/status/1317542627097665538?s=20
Kolkata 24*7: https://english.kolkata24x7.com/dilip-ghosh-likely-released-hospital.html/
DNAIndia: https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-west-bengal-bjp-chief-dilip-ghosh-hospitalised-2577787
Indian Express: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/bengal-bjp-president-dilip-ghosh-in-hospital-5034998/
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 the form.
