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 the dead body of the Kolkata rape and murder case victim at the hospital.
Fact
Months old video from Visakhapatnam shared in false context.
A 21 second long video showing hospital staff lining a corridor with folded hands as a corpse is being transported on a stretcher, is being widely circulated online. Multiple users shared the video with hashtags such as “#kolkata,” “#kolkatarapemurdercase” & #doctor, linking it to the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata. A few others claimed it to be the “last video” showing the “dead body” of the victim. Newschecker, however, found the claims to be untrue.
Such posts can be seen here, here and here.
Fact Check/Verification
A reverse image search on the keyframes of the viral footage yielded a report by Dainik Bhaskar, dated June 1, 2024. Carrying the same clip, the report stated that a man donated his son’s organ after he died in a road accident.
It elaborated that Praveen Mehta, who hails from Jalore, is settled in Visakhapatnam, along with his family, where he runs a cosmetics business. His son Vipin met with an accident on May 29, and was admitted to the hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. Following Vipin’s demise, his father and mother decided to donate his organs. The doctors, and staff of the hospital bestowed ‘Guard of Honour’ to Vipin’s corpse to appreciate his family’s decision. We further found the hospital seen in the video to be “Pinnacle Hospital.”
Carrying the viral footage, a News18 report further corroborated that a family decided to donate the organ of their son, Vipin Mehta, who passed away in a road accident in Visakhapatnam. Following which, the hospital gave a ‘Guard of Honour’ to his body.
Newschecker has reached out to Pinnacle Hospital for their comments. The story will be updated upon receiving the same.
Also Read: Viral Video Of Virat Kohli’s Remarks On Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder Case Is Old & Unrelated
Conclusion
Hence, an old video from Visakhapatnam has been falsely linked to the recent the recent case of rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata.
Result: False
Sources
Report By Dainik Bhaskar, Dated June 1, 2024
Report By News18, Dated June 2, 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.
