A video going viral on social media (here, here, and here) shows a youth being brutally beaten by a group of individuals. The video is being shared with the claim that a Dalit youth was attacked in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, by members of a Hindu organisation. Let’s verify the claim made in the post through this article.
Claim: The video shows a Dalit youth being attacked in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, by members of a Hindu organisation.
Fact: The viral video does not show a Hindu organisation attacking a Dalit youth. It depicts a gang rivalry incident in Meerut on 07 March 2025, where Vinay from the Fatte gang was assaulted by Lodhi gang members due to a past dispute. The FIR copy confirms the case was registered under BNS, 2023, Sections 191(2), 191(3), and 115(2). Had it been caste-based, the SC/ST Act, 1989, would have been invoked, but it wasn’t. Additionally, Police have confirmed that both the victim and the accused belong to the Dalit community. Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE.
A reverse image search of keyframes from the viral video led to multiple reports (here, here, and here) featuring the screenshot of the viral video. According to the report, a gang rivalry on NH-58 in Meerut led to the abduction and assault of Vinay from the Fatte gang by Lodhi gang members. They took him to a jungle, beat him, and threatened him with a pistol. Vinay had prior disputes with the accused, and the Lohiya Nagar police registered a case based on his complaint.
We found an X post (archived)dated 09 March 2025 by Senior Superintendent of Police Vipin Tada of Meerut Police regarding this incident. He stated that based on medical reports and video evidence, a case of attempted murder was filed, and the accused were arrested. The main accused is in custody, and efforts are underway to arrest the others. He also clarified that both the victim and the accused belong to the same community.
We also accessed the FIR copy of this case, which confirms that the incident occurred on 07 March 2025 and the case was registered under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, Sections 191(2), 191(3), and 115(2). Had there been an attack on a Dalit youth by a person other than a Dalit, it would have been registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The absence of such sections in the FIR indicates that the both the accused & the victim belong to the same community.
Additionally, Lohia Police Station confirmed that both Vinay and Sikandar belong to the Dalit community. An official stated that Vinay had beaten Sikandar two months ago, and this incident was part of Sikandar’s revenge.
To sum up, a video of a recent incident involving a fight between rival gang members in Meerut is shared with a false narrative.
