The Gujarat government on August 15 released 11 convicts who were serving life sentences in the 2002 Bilkis Bano gang-rape and murder of seven members of her family, a move that drew widespread criticism, especially concerning the law of remission that was applied.

A special CBI court in Mumbai had in 2008 sentenced all the accused to life imprisonment, a conviction upheld by the Bombay high court in 2017. The convicts had served around 15 years in jail after which one of them approached the Supreme Court with a plea for his premature release. The apex court then directed the Gujarat government to look into the issue of remission of his sentence, following which the state formed a committee. 

But there’s a catch. The convicts were not eligible for remission of sentence under the Gujarat government’s latest 2014 policy. They were released under the old 1992 policy instead. Quoting a top government official of the Gujarat government news agency PTI 

that the convicts were released as per the remission policy prevalent in Gujarat at the time of their conviction in 2008. 

Remission of the sentence means the reduction in the duration of the term imposed on a convict. According to 

, the President and the Governors have the power to pardon, suspend, remit, or commute a sentence passed by the courts under 

of the Constitution. Under Section 432 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), the state governments also have the power to remit sentences as prisons are a state subject. However, the powers of remission of the state government are restricted by Section 433A of the CrPC, which states that where a person has been given a life sentence — for a crime for which the law also allows death penalty as a possible punishment — then such a person shall not be released from prison unless he has served at least 14 years in jail. State governments set up sentence review boards to exercise the powers under Section 432 of the CrPC.

This year, as part of the “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’”, the government issued guidelines to states and Union Territories to grant special remission to those prisoners who have completed at least half their sentence, including male convicts above the age of 60, terminally ill and women and transgender prisoners above the age of 50. These prisoners will be released in three phases — August 15, 2022 (Independence Day), January 26 (Republic Day), and August 15, 2023 (Independence Day). The guidelines stated that special remission is not to be granted to 12 categories of convicts, which included “prisoners convicted for the offence of rape”.

 to have relied on a 1992 remission policy, following the direction of the Supreme Court to the state to look into the issue  on the basis of the date of the plea applicant’s conviction. A revised policy of the state government collated in 2014, and the latest guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on early release of prisoners, both mention that rape, murder convicts cannot be released out of turn by the prison administration. 

A Godhra-based lawyer, Parimal Pathak, who represented some convicts, 

 the Gujarat government’s 1992 policy, which did not clearly delineate the categories of convicts eligible for premature release or remission of their sentences, was relied upon by the state government. 

, Gujarat Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Raj Kumar said  that the application for remission was considered due to the “completion of 14 years” in jail and other factors such as “age, nature of the crime, behaviour in prison and so on”.

Confirming that the Supreme Court had asked the state to consider the early release of the 11 convicts based on the remission policy in effect when they were pronounced guilty, Kumar further told 

, “These 11 persons were convicted by a special court in Mumbai in 2008. At the time of conviction, Gujarat was following a remission policy which came into effect in 1992. When the matter reached the Supreme Court, it directed us to decide about the release under the 1992 policy, because that was prevalent when conviction came in 2008.  Gujarat adopted a new and revised remission policy for prisoners in 2014. In that policy, which is currently in effect, there are detailed guidelines about categories of convicts who can or cannot be given relief, said the senior bureaucrat.

“Since the conviction took place in 2008, SC directed us to consider this case under the 1992 policy, which was in effect in 2008. That policy did not have any specific clarity as to who can be given remission and who can’t. That policy was not that detailed in comparison to the 2014 policy,” he added.

Pointing out the conflict between the remission policies of the Gujarat government and Union government, senior advocate Mihir Desai 

, “they (the Gujarat government) would have to consult the Union government. We don’t know whether this was done. It should have been.” 

He added that if consulted, the Union government should not have given consent “as their policy does not allow rapists to be given remission. In any event, it is crucial in all matters of remission to take views of families of victims.”

Also, in a conversation with Mojo Story, advocate Vrinda Grover 

 per Section 435 CrPC, the power of remission awarded to the state government, in a case investigated by the CBI (agency empowered to make investigation into an offence under any Central Act), shall not be exercised by the state government except in consultation with the central government.  Given that the Bilkis Bano case was in fact investigated by the CBI, “the central government has endorsed, approved, affirmed this remission,” Grover said.

Speaking on the need for the state policy to consider a change, justice Anjana Prakash said that though she found from the Gujarat policy that it does bar remissions in several offences of serious nature, it did not do so in cases of rape. “Now that this omission has come to light, maybe the Gujarat government can petition to include it as well,” she said. Meanwhile, Bano’s lawyer, Shobha Gupta, on Wednesday, issued 

 on her behalf. Bano said the decision by the Gujarat state government to free her rapists has left her “numb”, “bereft of words” and shaken her faith in justice. “How can justice for a woman end like this? I trusted the highest courts in our land,” she said in a statement, adding that no authorities reached out to her before making the decision. “Please undo this harm. Give me back my right to live without fear and in peace.”

The Gujarat government on August 15 released 11 convicts who were serving life sentences in the 2002 Bilkis Bano gang-rape and murder of seven members of her family, a move that drew widespread criticism, especially concerning the law of remission that was applied.A special CBI court in Mumbai had in 2008 sentenced all the accused to life imprisonment, a conviction upheld by the Bombay high court in 2017. The convicts had served around 15 years in jail after which one of them approached the Supreme Court with a plea for his premature release. The apex court then directed the Gujarat government to look into the issue of remission of his sentence, following which the state formed a committee. But there’s a catch. The convicts were not eligible for remission of sentence under the Gujarat government’s latest 2014 policy. They were released under the old 1992 policy instead. Quoting a top government official of the Gujarat government news agency PTI <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/shaken-my-faith-bilkis-bano-on-release-of-11-convicts-omar-abdullah-tweets-101660752941438.html">reported </a>that the convicts were released as per the remission policy prevalent in Gujarat at the time of their conviction in 2008. <h2>Conflicting remission policies</h2>Remission of the sentence means the reduction in the duration of the term imposed on a convict. According to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.cnbctv18.com/legal/bilkis-bano-case11-convicts-were-released-14514372.htm">this report</a>, the President and the Governors have the power to pardon, suspend, remit, or commute a sentence passed by the courts under <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://legislative.gov.in/sites/default/files/COI_English.pdf">Articles 72 and 161 </a>of the Constitution. Under Section 432 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), the state governments also have the power to remit sentences as prisons are a state subject. However, the powers of remission of the state government are restricted by Section 433A of the CrPC, which states that where a person has been given a life sentence — for a crime for which the law also allows death penalty as a possible punishment — then such a person shall not be released from prison unless he has served at least 14 years in jail. State governments set up sentence review boards to exercise the powers under Section 432 of the CrPC.This year, as part of the “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’”, the government issued guidelines to states and Union Territories to grant special remission to those prisoners who have completed at least half their sentence, including male convicts above the age of 60, terminally ill and women and transgender prisoners above the age of 50. These prisoners will be released in three phases — August 15, 2022 (Independence Day), January 26 (Republic Day), and August 15, 2023 (Independence Day). The guidelines stated that special remission is not to be granted to 12 categories of convicts, which included “prisoners convicted for the offence of rape”.The Gujarat government <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/gujarats-2014-policy-bars-remission-of-sentence-for-rape-murder-convicts/article65775750.ece">was reported</a> to have relied on a 1992 remission policy, following the direction of the Supreme Court to the state to look into the issue  on the basis of the date of the plea applicant’s conviction. A revised policy of the state government collated in 2014, and the latest guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on early release of prisoners, both mention that rape, murder convicts cannot be released out of turn by the prison administration. A Godhra-based lawyer, Parimal Pathak, who represented some convicts, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2022/aug/18/bilkis-bano-case-gujarat-government-relied-on-1992-sentence-remission-policy-to-release-convicts-2488669.html">said</a> the Gujarat government’s 1992 policy, which did not clearly delineate the categories of convicts eligible for premature release or remission of their sentences, was relied upon by the state government. <h2>Why the exception?</h2>Speaking to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/gandhinagar/bilkis-bano-case-life-imprisonment-convicts-released-gujarat-government-remission-policy-8092225/">The Indian Express</a>, Gujarat Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Raj Kumar said  that the application for remission was considered due to the “completion of 14 years” in jail and other factors such as “age, nature of the crime, behaviour in prison and so on”.Confirming that the Supreme Court had asked the state to consider the early release of the 11 convicts based on the remission policy in effect when they were pronounced guilty, Kumar further told <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/explained-what-is-the-2002-bilkis-bano-gang-rape-case-and-why-have-11-convicts-been-released-now-11066141.html">PTI</a>, “These 11 persons were convicted by a special court in Mumbai in 2008. At the time of conviction, Gujarat was following a remission policy which came into effect in 1992. When the matter reached the Supreme Court, it directed us to decide about the release under the 1992 policy, because that was prevalent when conviction came in 2008.  Gujarat adopted a new and revised remission policy for prisoners in 2014. In that policy, which is currently in effect, there are detailed guidelines about categories of convicts who can or cannot be given relief, said the senior bureaucrat.“Since the conviction took place in 2008, SC directed us to consider this case under the 1992 policy, which was in effect in 2008. That policy did not have any specific clarity as to who can be given remission and who can’t. That policy was not that detailed in comparison to the 2014 policy,” he added.<h2>Legal questions and remedies</h2>Pointing out the conflict between the remission policies of the Gujarat government and Union government, senior advocate Mihir Desai <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://thewire.in/law/bilkis-bano-convicts-release-remission-policy-experts">said</a> that under <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://indiankanoon.org/doc/323239/">section 435 of the CrPC</a>, “they (the Gujarat government) would have to consult the Union government. We don’t know whether this was done. It should have been.” He added that if consulted, the Union government should not have given consent “as their policy does not allow rapists to be given remission. In any event, it is crucial in all matters of remission to take views of families of victims.”Also, in a conversation with Mojo Story, advocate Vrinda Grover <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.thequint.com/news/law/bilkis-bano-case-how-experts-viewed-remission-and-release-of-rape-convicts#read-more">stated that as</a> per Section 435 CrPC, the power of remission awarded to the state government, in a case investigated by the CBI (agency empowered to make investigation into an offence under any Central Act), shall not be exercised by the state government except in consultation with the central government.  Given that the Bilkis Bano case was in fact investigated by the CBI, “the central government has endorsed, approved, affirmed this remission,” Grover said.Speaking on the need for the state policy to consider a change, justice Anjana Prakash said that though she found from the Gujarat policy that it does bar remissions in several offences of serious nature, it did not do so in cases of rape. “Now that this omission has come to light, maybe the Gujarat government can petition to include it as well,” she said. Meanwhile, Bano’s lawyer, Shobha Gupta, on Wednesday, issued <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-62574247">a statement</a> on her behalf. Bano said the decision by the Gujarat state government to free her rapists has left her “numb”, “bereft of words” and shaken her faith in justice. “How can justice for a woman end like this? I trusted the highest courts in our land,” she said in a statement, adding that no authorities reached out to her before making the decision. “Please undo this harm. Give me back my right to live without fear and in peace.”<h2>Sources</h2><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/shaken-my-faith-bilkis-bano-on-release-of-11-convicts-omar-abdullah-tweets-101660752941438.html">Hindustan Times</a> report, August 17, 2022<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.cnbctv18.com/legal/bilkis-bano-case11-convicts-were-released-14514372.htm">CNBC-TV18</a> report, August 18, 2022<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://theprint.in/theprint-essential/bilkis-bano-case-convicts-controversy-why-the-11-were-released-under-old-1992-policy/1085804/">The Print</a> report, August 17, 2022<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/gujarats-2014-policy-bars-remission-of-sentence-for-rape-murder-convicts/article65775750.ece">The Hindu </a>report, August 16, 2022 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/explained-what-is-the-2002-bilkis-bano-gang-rape-case-and-why-have-11-convicts-been-released-now-11066141.html">Firstpost</a> report, August 17, 2022<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/gandhinagar/bilkis-bano-case-life-imprisonment-convicts-released-gujarat-government-remission-policy-8092225/">Indian Express</a> report, August 18, 2022<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/she-is-in-acute-shock-bilkis-banos-lawyer-shobha-gupta-after-release-of-11-rapists-3260582">NDTV </a>report, August 17, 2022<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://thewire.in/law/bilkis-bano-convicts-release-remission-policy-experts">The Wire</a> report, August 17, 2022<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.thequint.com/news/law/bilkis-bano-case-how-experts-viewed-remission-and-release-of-rape-convicts#read-more">The Quint </a>report, August 17, 2022<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-62574247">BBC </a>report, August 18, 2022<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2022/aug/18/bilkis-bano-case-gujarat-government-relied-on-1992-sentence-remission-policy-to-release-convicts-2488669.html">The New Indian Express</a> report, August 18, 2022

Article

The Gujarat government released 11 convicts in the 2002 Bilkis Bano gang-rape, a move that drew criticism concerning the law of remission applied

Bilkis Bano’s Rapists Walk Free: The Law Behind Controversial Release&nbsp;

A text message is being widely shared on WhatsApp and social media platforms, which warns users of a new scam called SIM Swap Fraud. According to the viral message, users targeted with this fraud briefly lose their network connectivity before they receive a phone call from their ‘service provider’ asking them to enter certain numbers to get their mobile operation to resume. Newschecker found that the viral message is misleading, and does not paint the true picture.

Newschecker received the viral message on our WhatsApp tipline (+91 9999499044) to be fact checked. 

We also found several users sharing the claim on Facebook with similar captions.

Pills In Luppo Cakes? Old Hoax Resurfaces, Yet Again

We started our investigation by conducting a keyword search on Google along with the words “SIM Swap Fraud” and found several media reports warning users of the scam. One such 

 uploaded on their website on 12th February, 2018 titled ‘‘I Lived a Nightmare:’ SIM Hijacking Victims Share Their Stories’.

According to the report, a SIM swap, at its most basic, is when someone gets your carrier to transfer your phone number to a SIM card they own. They aren’t doing it to conceal prank calls or run up long-distance fees. Scammers can quickly complete the text-based two-factor authentication procedures that guard your most sensitive accounts by redirecting your incoming messages. Or, if you don’t already have two-factor enabled, they may be able to deceive services into divulging your passwords by using your phone number.

fact-check by a tech based website called Tech Arp

 titled ‘Can SIM Swap Attack Empty Bank Accounts Without Warning?’ uploaded on their website on 16th January, 2022.

Explaining that SIM swap attacks do exist, and are extremely hazardous, the article details that they do not function in the way the viral message suggests.

In the majority of SIM swap scams, con artists ask for a SIM card replacement by using your personal information, “which they have either stolen from you, bought from other criminals, or gained through prior phishing scams or other forms of social engineering”. 

“The scammer doesn’t need you to do anything … Most of the time, it’s not until you can no longer access your cell number that you realise you’ve been struck,” reads the report.

Does your bank account immediately get swiped clean?

, Steven Andrés, an instructor in the graduate program in homeland security at San Diego State University said that in most cases, victims don’t even realise their SIMs have been changed until it is too late, Andrés stated, as opposed to being duped over the phone and prompted to hit a button to start a malicious swap.

Andres further stated that the current phone’s SIM will just read “No Carrier” without making a notification. Both receiving and placing phone calls will be impossible for you but it does not, however, imply that your bank accounts will suddenly be swiped clean. The scammers need to be in possession of other details such as your bank login. The swapping of sim cards aids them in completing the text-based two-factor authentication procedures that guard your most sensitive accounts by redirecting your incoming messages. Or, if you don’t already have two-factor enabled, they may be able to deceive services into divulging your passwords by using your phone number.

So what about entering values that the scammer asks you to? 

 explains that entering the digit 1 can be somewhat true, however it only occurs under certain conditions. “The scammer will call the victim, claiming to be from their mobile service provider, and will try to get the victim to reveal his/her 20-digit SIM card number. The scammer will then use the 20-digit SIM number to initiate a SIM swap with the mobile service provider. The mobile service provider will automatically send an SMS to confirm the swap. Once the victim confirms the swap, his/her SIM card will stop working. The scammer now has access to the victim’s mobile number,” the article further explains.

Newschecker’s investigation revealed that the viral forward about SIM Swap fraud is partly false. If the user is targeted by a SIM card swap fraud, their bank accounts will not be emptied immediately as is claimed, as scammers need to know the user’s bank logins and passwords through other phishing scams. SIM card swap will only allow scammers to intercept OTPs to complete transactions.

If you would like us to fact check a claim, give feedback or lodge a complaint, WhatsApp us at 

​. You can also visit the Contact Us​ page and fill the form.

Here’s The Truth Behind The Viral SIM Swap Fraud

Several social media users are circulating a video, claiming that Rahul Gandhi and other Congress party leaders were coming out drunk from a bar in Kerala. Gandhi is currently in the state as part of the party’s five-month-long journey across India called Bharat Jodo Yatra. The leader on Thursday resumed the 15th day of the yatra, which entered Kerala on September 10, from a college in Ernakulam district. The yatra, which started from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu on September 7, is set to cover a 

 and is scheduled to conclude in Jammu and Kashmir. The viral video has various social media users mocking the march, calling it “Bar Jodo Yatra”.

The archived versions of the tweets can be seen 

On conducting a keyword search for the video on Facebook, Newschecker came across a Facebook post, attaching the same video, by a user 

. The description stated that the ‘bar’ in the video is actually an eatery owned by one Ansar in Oachira.

Enquiring further, we came across another Facebook post by one 

, who shared a photo of Gandhi eating at Malabar Hotel in Oachira, Kollam. Kollam is a southern district in Kerala, which Gandhi had already crossed as part of the yatra close to a week ago.

From this post, we learnt that the hotel was established 75 years ago by a long-time Congress supporter and it is now being run by Ansar, the founder’s son. 

We then contacted Ansar, who said, “Rahul Gandhi and some other leaders came here for breakfast around 7:30 in the morning, which can be clearly seen on our CCTV footage. It is a hotel frequented by the public for meals. Neither do we have a bar, nor do we serve liquor here. As there is a small step on the way out of the hotel, some of the leaders stumbled there, making it seem like they were swaying drunk.”

Congress leader K Muraleedharan stumbles near the step.

CCTV footage shows Congress leaders eating

The hotel owner also shared with Newschecker the CCTV footage showing Gandhi and other Congress workers eating food. It can be seen that the Congress workers are not drinking at the hotel, confirming that no consumption of liquor happened at this particular eatery.

and found it to match the viral video and CCTV footage.

Pictures of the eatery from restaurantguru.in

While our investigation has revealed that no alcohol was served in Malabar Hotel, where Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders stopped for breakfast, there are multiple variables here that cannot be fact checked. Hence it is not possible to verify if any of the Congress leaders or workers consumed alcohol in any other instance outside the hotel.

CCTV visuals from Malabar Hotel on September 17,2022

Telephone conversation with Ansar owner of Malabar Hotels

With reporting inputs from Kerala by Sabloo Thomas.

If you would like us to fact-check a claim, give feedback, or lodge a complaint, WhatsApp us at 

Our investigation revealed that no alcohol was served in Malabar Hotel, where Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders stopped for breakfast during the party's Bharat Jodo Yatra.

Bharat Jodo Yatra: Did Rahul Gandhi, Congress Leaders Get Drunk At ‘Kerala Bar’? Here’s What We Found

A 50-second-long-video showing a person unwrapping a mini-cake bar and breaking it apart to reveal pills hidden inside, is going viral on social media platforms. A person can be heard speaking in the background in Kashmiri, “The people who have conscience will share this video, those who don’t will not. Your one share will save someone’s life. This video I received from a friend who requested me to share this. This is lopo chocolate and see the pills in this. This can be hazardous for someone’s health.”

 Several users shared the video with the caption “Medicine pills found in LOPO chocolates.”

Screenshot of Facebook post by @malikthejournalist

Screenshot of Facebook post by @knewshour

Screenshot of Facebook post by @Officialll786

Newschecker has debunked the same claim in 

Video On Presence Of Cockroaches In Chocolates Is Misleading

On carefully analysing the video, we spotted “Luppo” written on the wrapper of the cake, and not “Lopo” as the claims mention. Following this, we looked up keywords “Luppo cake pills” on Facebook and found that the video has been in circulation since 

 with slightly varied claims about the pills in the cake. 

A clearer version of the video was also uploaded on

 in November 2019 with the title “Şölen Luppo cakes with pills?” In this video, we were able to spot a crack in the middle of the cake. Additionally, the person very hastily crumbles one part of the cake, while being very careful with the other side where pills can be seen. This raises questions; did the person already know the exact spot where the pills were “hidden,” and why was the “hunt” immediately halted after two tablets were found? Was the person aware that there were no more pills?

Notably, Luppo is a brand by Turkish company 

. We came across a two-year-old article by Turkish fact checking organisation 

 verifying the viral video. It stated, “When the video is carefully examined, the deformation in the cake is noticed. The product is not sold in Turkey, it is an export product and the results of the inspections are clean. “ 

Further, Teyit was also able to trace the original source of the video to an Iraqi YouTube channel, Wishe Press. It also pointed out that “another product exported from Turkey seen in the video is Aspiliç, belonging to As Tavukçuluk. As Tavukçuluk’s biggest export market is Iraq, which further strengthens the possibility that this video was shot in Iraq.”

that a spokesperson for Sölen confirmed that that particular product is only sold in Iraq.

 in 2019 which led to a boycott attempt of its product in Northern Iraq. “It is stated that the reason for the emergence of such videos may be attempts to boycott (Turkish products),” Teyit noted. 

 post by Erbil Health Protection Affairs Directorate, dated November 6, 2019- around the time when the video first surfaced- clarifying “that the sample of the cake (Luppo cake) has been tested in the laboratory and is edible.”

The same was also highlighted in the Teyit report, “the production processes of food products undergo both internal and independent inspection . No findings were found in the laboratory results of independent inspectors for Şölen Chocolate.”

Viral claim that there are pills in Luppo cakes is not true. The video has been in circulation for the past three years and has been debunked multiple times.

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 

Fact Check

A video showing officials, purportedly from the Enforcement Directorate, counting wads of cash using a counting machine even as mounds of currency of notes are seen piled up on the side, is being widely shared on social media. Users sharing the video claimed it to be an ED raid on the property of “Shekhar Agarwal, an AAP leader from Surat, Gujarat”. The claims come amid the party’s busy campaigning in the state for the Assembly elections due  later this year. Newschecker has found the claim to be false.

Newschecker began by looking up reports of any such raid with the keywords “raid AAP Shekhar Agarwal”, which did not throw up any relevant news reports. 

On closely analysing the video, Newschecker observed that the language heard in the viral video was Bengali, and not Gujarati. We then ran a reverse image search of keyframes of the video, which led us to this news report on 

from India Today, titled “Mobile Gaming App Scam: ED Recovers Massive Cash From Kolkata Businessman Linked To E-Nuggets App”. 

Uploaded on September 11, 2022, the description of the video read, “The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is conducting searches at six locations in Kolkata while probing an alleged case of fraud through a mobile gaming app. A team of ED officials, accompanied by bank officials, raided the premises of businessman Aamir Khan in the Garden Reach area of Kolkata on Saturday and seized Rs 7 crore in cash and property documents. The raid is underway and cash counting machines were brought in to ascertain the exact amount of cash recovered.”

Taking a cue, Newschecker then ran a Google search on the keywords “ED raid Aamir Khan Kolkata”, which led us to multiple news reports from the past week, including 

 According to NDTV report, dated September 11, 2022, a search operation by ED led to the recovery of over ₹ 17 crore from the premises of a businessman in Kolkata. The anti-money laundering agency raided six locations in Kolkata including one in Garden Reach area, where the ED brought in cash-counting machines to count the amount recovered. “The search started on Saturday morning at the premises of Aamir Khan, who ED officials say is not cooperating with the agency. The counting of cash ended on Sunday morning,” the report read. We observed that the video used in the news report, too, is the same viral clip.

A comparison of screenshots of the viral clip (top), the NDTV report (bottom right) and the India Today video (bottom left).

Also, barring the viral claims, we could not find any indication that a member of the party by the name “Shekhar Agarwal” existed. We also looked up the party’s official website that also did not have any mention of such a member. We then reached out to AAP regarding this. We will update the article once a response is received. 

Viral video of ED raids on Kolkata businessman’s house falsely claimed to be “raid on AAP leader’s house in Surat”.

Viral Video Showing ED Raid Is From Kolkata, Not ‘Surat AAP Leader’s Home’

In wake of the rise in child lifting rumours across India, several Kashmir based social media platforms are sharing a video claiming to show four non-locals who were held after an alleged attempt to kidnap children in Lar area of Ganderbal in Kashmir. Newschecker has found that the claim is false. 

Video Showing Child Kidnapping On Cam Is Scripted

Facebook page JK live was among the pages that shared the video with the caption “In a Shocking incident villagers in Ganderbal captured 4 non locals who were attempting to kidnap children in a car. Police team reached the spot, arrested all 4 and seized their vehicle also. #Kashmir

Several other pages also shared the same video with similar claims. You can see the posts 

Increase In Misinformation Surrounding Child theft

The number of claims on WhatsApp and social media alleging child theft/kidnap children has seen a spike in the recent days. In Maharashtra’s Sangli, a group of sadhus who were travelling to Pandharpur were stopped and 

Tv Channels Run Visuals From Old Theft Incident In MP Falsely Linking Them To Recent Attack On Sadhus In Sangli

in UP’s Indrawar were suspected to be child lifters by local villagers and handed over to the police. Several users later shared the video of the men in police custody with false allegation that they were trying to kidnap children and selling their organs.

Scripted videos showing men kidnap children have also seen a rise in the recent past, with many of them being shared as authentic, triggering panic and concern among netizens.

Newschecker began investigating the claim by conducting a google search with keywords ‘non-locals kidnap children in Ganderbal’ and found several reports denying the claim. You can read them 

 reported that the police refuted the claim of non-locals being caught kidnapping children in Ganderbal.

“Jammu and Kashmir police on Friday refuted reports claiming kidnapping of a minor child by some unknown non-locals in Yanihama locality of Lar in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district” the report read. According to the report the non-locals held were begging in the area and were neither involved in kidnapping or theft. 

Speaking to the media, Nikhil Borkar, SSP Ganderbal, said that the group was visiting from Punjab and going from home-to-home seeking alms when locals suspected them of being child kidnappers.

“We rushed to the spot after we received the information and took 4 people into custody. During the investigation we found that these men beg for a living. Eyewitness told us that they did not make any attempt to kidnap any children, and that they just asked for water and rice. We also called the owner of the house which they visited who denied any act of kidnapping. Panic was created only after some social media platforms began circulating the video. We request all social media users to verify the cases which have a criminal angle with the police before sharing it” the SSP said.

Police also warned social media users from circulating fake news that non-locals were trying to kidnap children. “Whosoever shall be involved in circulating such fake and baseless news shall be held under relevant sections of law,” the Ganderbal police said on the official twitter handle of district police.

We also reached out to local journalist Firdous Ahmad Khan who confirmed that the non locals apprehended were not child lifters, but beggars. 

“The non-locals approached a homeowner asking if they wanted his fortune told. The house owner asked them to leave the premises. As they were leaving, local residents gathered around, suspecting them of kidnapping children and started beating them. Some locals informed the police,” Firdous clarified.

Newschecker investigation revealed that the news of non-locals allegedly attempting to kidnap children in J&K’s Ganderbal is false.

Phonic conversation with Journalist Firdous Ahmad

Non-Local Child Lifters Apprehended At Kashmir’s Ganderbal? No, Viral Claim Is False  

Image shows Beef Biryani recipe mix by Ramdev’s Patanjali Ayurved.

Screenshot of Facebook post by @swamdogofficial

Newschecker scanned through the official website of Patanjali Ayurved to ascertain whether the firm offers any such product or not. We looked up words like “Beef,” “Beef Biryani, “ Beef Biryani Recipe Mix,” on the website but did not find any such offering listed in their online catalogue.

Further, we noticed that  none of the products seen in

 website featured ‘Ramdev’ written on their packages as seen in the viral image. Additionally, the colour schema of Patanjali’s trademark seen in the viral image is different from that of the firm’s authentic logo.

(L-R) Images of products listed on the official website of Patanjali Ayurved and viral image

Following this, we conducted a Google reverse image search on the viral image which led to a product listed on the website of 

On comparing the viral image with the National Beef Biryani Recipe Mix, we found several similarities in the packaging and could conclude that “Ramdev” and “Patanjali” were digitally added to the photo of  Biryani recipe mix listed on National Foods website. 

(L-R) Viral image and screenshot of Beef Biryani Recipe Mix by National Foods

Further, on carefully analysing the viral image we spotted the word ‘SATIRE’ written on the right side of the package. It is likely that the photo was altered in an attempt to mock the brand.

If you liked this and want to read more such fact checks then click 

Beef Biryani Recipe Mix By Ramdev’s Patanjali? Edited Photo Goes Viral

Political leaders from J&K accused the central government of pushing the “Hindutva agenda” in J&K soon after a video went viral on social media, allegedly showing students and teachers in a school in Kashmir singing a ‘Hindu hymn’.

Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti was among those who shared the video in a tweet, stating “Jailing religious scholars, shutting down Jama Masjid & directing school kids here to sing Hindu hymns exposes the real hindutva agenda of GOI in Kashmir. Refusing these rabid dictates invites PSA & UAPA. It is the cost that we are paying for this so-called “Badalta J&K”.

Senior leader and state spokesperson of the National Conference, Imran Nabi Dar, also shared the same video, questioning whether the educational institutions in Kashmir have been turned into a “political tool”.

We found that the same video was posted by many others on social media along with claiming that “Modi’s Hindutva regime is forcing Muslim children to chant Hindu devotional songs”. You can check the tweets 

Facebook users also shared the same video terming the video as worrying for Kashmir. A Facebook user Syed Sana, has 

 that has garnered over 90K views, 644 comments and 2.1k shares.

The video is also shared on YouTube as shown below.

On closely analysing the viral video, one can see a board right in the first few frames of the video. It clearly reads ‘Govt High School, Nagam, Kulgam’. It also states “Zone: D.H. Pora” and ‘Estt 1950’, suggesting it has been running for over 70 years. Nagam area is located in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district. 

Speaking to Newschecker, Gulzar Ahmad Beig, the deputy headmaster of the school, confirmed that the viral video was indeed recorded inside the school premises and revealed that the singing was part of the preparations for the upcoming Gandhi Jayanti celebrations. “Different activities were slated to be held in the run-up to Gandhi Jayanti on October 2. This was being held as per a government directive,” he told Newschecker.

We further contacted the Chief Education Officer of Kulgam, Mohammad Ashraf Rather, who confirmed that the activity happened as per government directive. “This is part of a prayer for the upcoming Gandhi Jayanti event, which is to be celebrated on October 2. Govt has directed all govt schools to prepare for the Gandhi Jayanti,” Md Ashraf told us.

Activity schedule as per government order for the preparation of Gandhi Jayanti

‘Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram’ A Hindu Hymn?

, it is a famous devotional hymn originally written by 17th-century Vaishnava poet Lakshmanacharya. It was later modified by Mahatma Gandhi and was used during the Dandi march. The full lyrics of the hymn can be read on the 

 of Gandhi Sevagram Ashram, which was founded by Mahatama Gandhi in 1936 in Maharashtra, under the title of ‘Gandhiji’s Favourite Hymns’.

The third stanza of Gandhi’s version of the hymn reads ‘Ishwar Allah Tero Nam, Sabako Sanmati De Bhagawan’ which translates to ‘Iswar and Allah are your names / May God bestow wisdom on all’ indicating the secular nature of the hymn.

Experiments with Truth: Gandhi and Images of Nonviolence

, historian and author Vinay Lal writes, “Narayan Desai, the son of Gandhi’s beloved secretary, Mahadev Desai, spent some years of his childhood around Gandhi and later recalled that the Ramdhun seemed to have become popular during the Salt March and the subsequent civil disobedience movement, and it continues to resonate strongly, and not only among devout Hindus, in contemporary India.” 

“Muslims, Hindus, Christians, and the practitioners of other faiths may all know God by different names, but Gandhi did not doubt that behind this multifariousness in form there was one essential unity”, Lal writes. 

Further research highlights the secular pitch of the song. “Clearly modified with a view to spreading the message of reconciliation between Hindus and Muslims, the song was set to tune by the renowned musicologist, Vishnu Digambar Paluskar,” reads a report on the famous hymn published by 

The claim that ‘Govrnment of India is pushing Hindutva agenda by forcing Muslim students in Kashmir to sing a “Hindu” hymn is misleading. The video shows students and teachers preparing for the upcoming Gandhi Jayanti celebrations based on the directive from the UT administration. Further, the Ramdhun is considered a secular, all-faith prayer popularised by Mahatma Gandhi. 

 website accessed on 20th September 2022 

 report dated 2nd October 2019. Archived Link 

3. Statement of Chief Education Officer, Kulgam as stated in a phone conversation with Newschecker.

4. Statement of Deputy Headmaster of the school, as stated in a phone conversation with Newschecker.

Hindu Hymn In Kashmir School? Here Is What We Found About The Row

Hours following her detention by Iran’s dreaded morality police for allegedly violating the hijab regulations, Mahsa Amini, 22, went into a coma. Witnesses accused the police of beating her. Mahsa Amini has since passed away. In this context, a video of a police officer manhandling a woman before dragging her into a police car, is going viral on social media claiming to show police brutality against Mahsa Amini in Iran for violating hijab rules.

We started our investigation by conducting a reverse search of the key-frames of the video on Google to verify its authenticity and found a

 uploaded on their website on 17th May, 2022 titled ‘Reactions to the police encounter with a woman in the Letyan dam’ when translated from Arabic via Google translate.

The report contained the same video which is viral now posted on 7th May, 2022 along with the caption ‘The broadcast of the video of the arrest of a woman near the Letyan Dam, which was accompanied by a sharp collision #پلیس , led to a reaction and the issuing of a special order by the head of the Tehran police.’ when translated via Google translate.

Newschecker conducted a keyword search with the words “Letyan Dam”, “woman arrested”, “police” and found a

 titled ‘The violent arrest of a woman in Letyan Dam; The agents were arrested, the police force: Grass was discovered in the car’ when translated via Google translate uploaded on their website on 8th May, 2022.

According to the report, in the video, a plainclothes police officer attempted to arrest a lady using physical force and aggression, which resulted in her falling to the ground. They were assisted by two more police officers.

This video received a lot of attention and negative feedback after it was shared on social media several times.

The report also stated that the Tehran Police Information Centre stated Tuesday, May 17, 2022 that Hossein Rahimi, the chief of the capital’s police, had given the required directives to follow up on this incident following the release of this video.

According to Murad Moradi, a deputy social police officer for Greater Tehran, the apprehended women were found to have “quantities of drugs of the grass kind (marijuana)” in their automobile.

Newschecker also checked the official Instagram account of BBC Persian where we found the video uploaded on 7th May, 2022.

Viral Video Claiming To Show Mahsa Amini Being Attacked By Iran's Morality Police Is False

A black-and-white video showing the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, being honoured in what appears to be an  official ceremony, is going viral on social media platforms. Addressing Jawaharlal Nehru, a man wearing a ceremonial gown can be heard saying, “…as Chamberlain of this City to offer you both the right hand of fellowship and greet you Mr Nehru as a citizen of London and you Mr Holland…” The video has prompted social media users to believe that India’s first PM had taken London’s citizenship. Newschecker found that claim to be misleading.

Several Twitter and Facebook users shared the video with the caption “How many people know that Nehru took citizenship of London in 1956 and took oath to be true to the Queen of England?”

Screenshot of Facebook post by @ankushsos

Screenshot of Facebook post by @bhaswardas

Posts Comparing Jail Cells Of Savarkar, Nehru And Gandhi Misleading, Here’s Why

On carefully analysing the video, we can hear the narrator saying, “The 

on Mr Jawaharlal Nehru, primer of India….” Taking a clue, we looked up keywords “freedom of the city” & “Nehru” on Google which led us to a video uploaded on 

, titled “FREEDOM OF THE CITY FOR PANDI NEHRU – SOUND (sic).”  We compared the keyframes of the viral clip with those of the AP Archive footage and found them to be from the same event.

(L-R) Screenshot from AP Archive video and screenshot of video posted by @bhaswardas on Facebook

The narrator can be heard saying, “….the occasion during which New Zealand’s Primer, Mr Holland was also to be honoured, 

was the presentation of the Freedom of the City to Nehru

.” Adding that Nehru was in Britain to attend the Commonwealth’s Prime Minister’s conference, “…now

. In ancient times, this Freedom was essential to any man who desired to exercise trade within the city’s boundaries. 

Nehru also can be seen addressing the gathering, ahead of which the narrator can be heard saying “In offering his thanks for the 

Following this, we conducted a Google search for “Nehru,” Holland,” &  “Freedom Of City” and found a YouTube video uploaded on the verified channel of 

on April 13, 2014, titled ‘London Honours Two Great Premiers (1956).’ Around 17 seconds in the video, we spotted the viral clip claiming to show Nehru taking London citizenship.

The description of the video reads, “Two great Prime Ministers,

 of India and Mr Holland of New Zealand, receive the 

at the Guildhall… The City Chamberlain speaking to Holland and Nehru (natural sound): “It is my privilege as Chamberlain of this City 

the right hand of fellowship and greet you Mr Nehru as a citizen of London and you Mr Holland…” – his voice now drowned by applause…”

Screenshot of description of YouTube video by British Pathé

Further indicating that the viral clip actually shows visuals of Nehru and Holland being

 with ‘freedom of the City of London.’

We continued our investigation to know more about the Freedom of the City of London title and looked up the same on Google. As per the official website of the city of London, “From the Middle Ages and the Victorian era, the Freedom was the right to trade, enabling members of a Guild or Livery to carry out their trade or craft in the Square Mile. A fee or fine would be charged and in return the Livery Companies would ensure that the goods and services provided would be of the highest possible standards. In 1835, the Freedom was widened to incorporate not just members of Livery Companies but also people living or working in the City or those with a strong London connection.”

Elaborating on the ‘Honorary Freedom,’ the website stated, “Honorary Freedom is the highest honour the City of London can bestow. Honorary Freemen do not apply for but are invited by the Court of Common Council to take the Freedom. The presentation ceremony usually takes place in 

 or the Mansion House before the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, Common Councillors and invited guests. The presentation on these occasions is made by the

 Chamberlain of London who makes a speech as does the recipient

.”  – as can be seen in Nehru’s case.

Notably, a likely cause of confusion among social media users might have been a man greeting Nehru as ‘citizen of London.’ According to the website, it is part of the ceremony. 

The website adds, “Freedom ceremonies take place in the Chamberlain’s Court at Guildhall and are usually conducted by the Clerk of the Court or his Assistant….The Clerk or Chamberlain extends 

the right hand of fellowship to the recipient and greets them as a Citizen of London

<strong>Bilkis Bano’s Rapists Walk Free: The Law Behind Controversial Release&nbsp;</strong>

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