On February 24, 2023, social media was abuzz with a shocking claim that three Muslim youths were lynched by a mob in Gaya, Bihar. Besides, propaganda journalist Sadaf Afreen shared a video of the father of one of the victims, who alleged that the incident was done under a conspiracy. Along with the video, she also wrote, ❝In Bihar’s Gaya, three youths were lynched by a mob after accusing them of theft, in which Mohammad Babar died while Sajid and Rukbuddin were seriously injured. The family has alleged that the incident was part of a conspiracy. The question is, how long will the mob continue to kill humanity?❞ she added.
Moreover, anti-India propagandist Ashok Swain also tweeted on the incident and wrote, ❝Another day, another lynching in India—one Muslim youth is lynched to death and two others are seriously injured in Gaya, India.❞
The news quickly gained traction, with journalists like Meer Faisal and Ahmed Khabeer and Hinduphobic media portals like Hate Detector and Journo Mirror also sharing the claim. The situation quickly escalated, with people expressing their outrage and calling for justice.
The viral post claims that Mohammad Babar, one of three Muslim youths, died while Sajid and Rukbuddin sustained serious injuries in an alleged incident of theft. Moreover, the family has accused the mob of killing the youths without any evidence.
However, is this claim true? In this Fact-Check article, we will examine the available evidence to determine the veracity of this viral claim.
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Fact Check
We started our research by looking for a police statement on the incident, and we came across a tweet by the official Twitter handle of Gaya Police, Bihar, from February 23, 2023. In this tweet, the Gaya Police have shared a press release. Moreover, as per the press release, villagers caught and thrashed some criminals who had reportedly gone to Diha village to carry out a criminal act. The Belaganj police station received information about the incident during the late night of 22.02.2023 – 23.02.2023.
Furthermore, the Gaya Police reported that, upon receiving information about the incident, they sent three injured individuals to the local primary health center in Belaganj for medical treatment. Also, the senior officer at the Belaganj Police Station was informed of the situation. Besides, the doctor referred the three injured persons to the Magadh Medical College Hospital in Gaya for more advanced medical care, where injured Mohammed Babar was declared dead by the doctor.
Moreover, according to the Police, the remaining two injured persons are Mohd Sajid, and Mohd Rumuddin, both of Kurisarai, Thana Belaganj, district Gaya are undergoing treatment.
Additionally, as per the Press release, the following items have been recovered from the Scorpio vehicle of the criminals from the scene of the incident:-
- Scorpio car – 1
- Bullet – 3 pieces
- Knife – 1 piece
- Bomb – 1 piece
- Iron Rod – 1 piece
The press release also states that the two individuals who are currently receiving medical treatment for their injuries also have criminal histories.
The criminal history of injured person Mo. Sajid, s/o Sabir Ali, Kurisarai police station Belaganj, district Gaya:-
01. Belaganj Police Station Case No. 116/16, dated 24.06.16 Section 147/148/149/307/354(B) IPC
02. Belaganj Police Station Case No. 300/17, dated 03.09.17 section 147/148/149/323/324/325/307/337/279/354/448/504/506 IPC
The criminal history of injured person Mo. Rukmuddin, s/o Zahid, Kurisarai, Police Station Belaganj, District Gaya:-
01. Belaganj police station case number 47/16, dated 09.02.16 Section 323/324/325 IPC.
02. Belaganj police station case number 188/17, dated 02.06.17 Section 341/323/325/379/504/34 IPC.
So, all these points prove that Mohammad Babar, Sajid, and Rukbuddin were not just thieves but also dangerous criminals with a long criminal history.
Therefore, all social media claims that the three Muslim youths were beaten solely based on suspicion of theft are misleading since they were actual criminals with a long criminal history. Furthermore, the police are still investigating the incident. They are collecting evidence and information to understand the situation better. So, it is important to note that the investigation has not yet been concluded. The police are continuing their efforts to determine the facts surrounding the incident.
However, we strongly believe that taking the law into one’s own hands is not justifiable under any circumstances. Furthermore, lynching is an act that we firmly denounce. It is our belief that no one has the authority to engage in such activities.
At the same time, we acknowledge that any person who engages in criminal activity must face the consequences of their actions. We do not condone the portrayal of a criminal as innocent, regardless of the situation.
In short, we support the legal system and its processes as the proper means of dealing with criminal activities. We also condemn any act of violence that seeks to punish an individual outside of the legal framework. Ultimately, we strive for a society that upholds the rule of law and promotes justice for all.
| Claim | Three Muslims were lynched by a mob on suspicion of theft |
| Claimed by | Sadaf Afreen, Ashok Swain, Meer Faisal, Ahmed Khabeer, etc |
| Fact Check | Misleading |
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