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
Video shows UP govt’s bulldozer action on homes of the accused in Ram Gopal Mishra’s killing.
Fact
Video predates Bahraich violence. Bahraich police clarified that the visuals show an anti-encroachment drive conducted last month.
In the wake of the communal violence during the Durga Puja celebrations in UP’s Bahraich, several social media users shared a video showing a pile of rubbles, seemingly from buildings brought down by bulldozers. Those sharing the video claimed that it showed the result of ‘bulldozer action’ on the homes of those accused in the killing of Ram Gopal Mishra.
The minute-long-video is being widely shared on Facebook and X with users lauding the purported Bulldozer action following Bahraich violence.
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
Newschecker also received the claim on our WhatsApp tipline (+91-9999499044) requesting to be fact checked.
The Uttar Pradesh authorities last week pasted demolition notices on the houses of 23 persons in Bahraich, including one Abdul Hameed- an accused in the violence case, directing them to remove the illegally built structures on government land within three days to avoid official action.
Fact Check/Verification
A keyword search for “Bahraich Violence,” and “demolition” on Google led us to multiple reports, such as this, this and this, stating that the Allahabad High Court on Sunday, October 20, 2024, granted a 15-day extension to the Bahraich residents to respond to such demolition notices. The bench has fixed the next hearing in the case on October 23, indicating that no such “bulldozer action” has taken place so far. A plea has also been moved in the Supreme Court in this matter.
We then looked up the keyframes of the viral footage on Google lens which yielded a YouTube video by @LavkushVishwakarma90, dated September 26, 2024, titled “Wazirganj bajar (market) jila Bahraich.” It carried the same footage that is being shared to show the bulldozer action in Bahraich after recent violence.
We also noticed a watermark of one “@altaf.studio” in the YouTube video, looked up the same online and found the Instagram profile with the same username. On skimming through the profile, we found the viral footage posted on September 26, 2024 with the caption “Wazirganj | Apna Wazirganj | Bahraich”
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Taking a clue, we looked up keywords “वजीरगंज” and ” बुलडोजर” on Google which yielded a report by AmarUjala, dated September 25, 2024. It stated that 23 houses were demolished in Wazirganj market of Sarai Jagna Gram Panchayat under Fakharpur block in Bahraich district following the court’s order. Adding that, land under plot number 92, 211 and 2i2 in the area that were earmarked for a barn and road were encroached by the villagers.
Kaiserganj sub divisional magistrate (SDM) Alok Kumar was quoted by Hindustan Times as saying, “23 structures were found illegally built on gram panchayat land at Sarai Jagna village. Notices were served to all the occupants to vacate the illegally encroached spaces…The action is being taken in compliance with an order of the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High court.” Reportedly, the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court passed the order in May 2023 on a petition filed by a local resident.
We also found an X post by the Bahraich Police clarifying that the visuals are from a ”court-ordered anti-encroachment drive that was carried out in the Fakharpur area of Bahraich district on 25.09.24 and not of the incident that happened in Maharajganj a few days ago.”
Also Read: AI-Generated Images Claiming To Show Kumbhakarna’s Sword Go Viral
Conclusion
An old and unrelated video has been shared to show bulldozer action on homes of the accused in the killing of Ram Gopal Mishra during recent communal clashes in Bahraich.
Result: False
Sources
YouTube Video By @LavkushVishwakarma90, Dated September 26, 2024
Instagram Post By @altaf.studio, Dated September 26, 2024
X Post By @bahraichpolice, Dated October 19, 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.
