A social media post accompanying a video of a bearded man being assaulted by people, while a group of bystanders watch is being widely shared with a communal claim that the video shows a Muslim man being thrashed by Hindu extremists in Delhi. Through this article let’s fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: Visuals of Hindu extremists thrashing a Muslim man in Delhi.
Fact: It is true that the viral visuals show a Muslim man being assaulted by a mob, however, the reason for the assault is alleged stalking and harassment of a minor girl by the man. Police have registered a case against the person under POCSO act upon the complaint of the minor girl. Multiple news agencies have reported the incident. The assault had no communal angle linked to it. Hence the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
Popular Twitter user and Global Correspondent for Byline Times CJ Werleman initially tweeted the same video with a similar claim. Most likely, the video went viral across social media platforms, after CJ Werleman’s tweet. However, he later deleted the video and posted clarification saying the individual who is seen being beaten is credibly accused of sexual assault.
As the video went viral on social media, multiple media outlets reported the visuals and the context surrounding the incident (here, here & here). As per these reports, the bearded man shown in the video was beaten for allegedly stalking and misbehaving with a 13 year old girl.
As per these reports, police have identified the accused as Irfan Khan (37), an accountant who is married and has three children.
DCP Shahdara, Delhi tweeted on 12 May 2022, that Shahdara police station had received a complaint on 07 May about the public assault on a person in Nathu Colony, Delhi. Police rescued him from the crowd, and later a case was registered for stalking under the POCSO Act after the 13-year-old victim’s complaint, leading to the man’s arrest. Further, the tweet states that their initial enquiry found that the person used to stalk and molest a 13 year old minor girl.
Further, DCP Shahdara, Delhi, speaking to BOOM confirmed that the viral visuals are indeed a result of accusation of stalking and harassment. All these establish the fact that while the viral shows a Muslim man being assaulted, there is no communal angle to the incident and the assault was a result of alleged stalking and harassment of a minor girl.
To sum it up, video of a Muslim man being assaulted by mob is being shared with a false communal angle.
