On May 27, 2023, social media platforms were set ablaze with a video that swiftly went viral. The footage depicted a scene reminiscent of a raid, with several individuals meticulously counting stacks of Indian currency notes using high-speed machines. The visuals were undeniably captivating, leaving viewers eager to uncover the truth behind this intriguing spectacle. However, a self-proclaimed journalist named Naveen Mishra took to Twitter and claimed that the raid had transpired at Shikhar Agarwal’s residence, a prominent figure in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), known for their strong stance on integrity. Mishra’s tweet insinuated that the astonishing sum of money discovered during the raid could serve as a gauge of the BJP’s honesty and their level of preparedness for the elections.
Moreover, as curiosity and speculation soared, an intriguing tweet from a Twitter handle named Voice of Sikhs added a new layer to the unfolding narrative. The tweet, authored by Voice of Sikhs, claimed that the raid in question had targeted the residence of Shikhar Agarwal—a respected leader within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and an alleged member of the Militant org Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). This tweet posited that the sizable sum of money discovered during the raid could serve as a barometer to gauge the BJP’s ethical standards and their level of preparedness for the elections.
Apart from this, another Twitter handle named Dr. Ahtesham Siddiqui also shared the viral video and alleged that the raid at Shikhar Agarwal’s house in Surat, Gujarat had yielded an interesting discovery: a scarcity of ₹2000 notes and a surplus of ₹500 notes. He went on to suggest that bundles of ₹500 notes, often associated with illicit funds or “black money,” could easily be concealed within the folds of a bed’s diwan.
So, is it true that a lot of black money is recovered from BJP leader Shikhar Agarwal’s house during a raid? Let’s Fact Check.
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Fact Check
During our investigation, the first step we undertook was to conduct a reverse search of the viral video, aiming to ascertain its authenticity and uncover any previous instances of its publication. To our surprise, our search led us to a video posted on September 11, 2022, on the official YouTube channel of CNN News18.
As we watched the YouTube video, we were astounded to find that the visuals within it matched those of the viral video in question. However, the reality behind the video was vastly different from the claims that had circulated widely on social media. According to the CNN News18 report, the footage showcased an incident entirely unrelated to Shikhar Agarwal or any political leader. Instead, it depicted the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducting a massive raid in Kolkata, where they successfully recovered a staggering ₹18 crore in cash.
Next, we came across another YouTube video posted on September 11, 2022, on the official India Today channel revealed startling similarities to the visuals depicted in the viral video. However, the reality behind this footage proved to be yet another departure from the viral claims that had captured the public’s attention.
According to India Today, the video showcased the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducting searches at multiple locations in Kolkata as part of their investigation into an alleged case of fraud involving a mobile gaming app. In a meticulously planned operation, a team of ED officials, accompanied by bank representatives, descended upon the premises of businessman Aamir Khan in the Garden Reach area of Kolkata. The raid yielded substantial results, with the seizure of a staggering Rs 7 crore in cash and various property documents.
Next, taking a cue from the above Youtube videos, we conducted keyword research using the phrase “ED Conducts Mega Raid In Kolkata, Recovers ₹18 Crore Cash.” Our efforts led us to a Hindustan Times report published on September 11, 2022, providing crucial insights into the true nature of the raid in question. The information revealed in this report presented a stark contrast to the viral claims that had initially captured public attention.
According to the Hindustan Times, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out a meticulously planned operation resulting in the recovery of a staggering amount of cash, totaling approximately ₹18 crore. The raid targeted six locations in Kolkata as part of a money-laundering investigation related to a mobile gaming application. Among the premises subjected to the raid was the residence of businessman Nesar Ahmed Khan, located in the Garden Reach area of southwest Kolkata.
ED officials, well-versed in the probe, disclosed that Nesar Ahmed Khan’s son, Amir Khan, the main accused in the case and the individual behind the launch of the implicated application, had yet to be apprehended. While Nesar Ahmed Khan is involved in the transport business, his son Amir’s alleged involvement in the money-laundering activities surrounding the gaming app prompted the ED to conduct the extensive operation.
In conclusion, our in-depth investigation has revealed compelling evidence that contradicts the claims made regarding a significant recovery of black money from the house of BJP leader Shikhar Agarwal. The viral video, which captured the attention of social media users, has been conclusively linked to a raid conducted in Kolkata last year. The visuals depicted in the video correspond to the Enforcement Directorate’s crackdown on a money-laundering scheme associated with a mobile gaming application.
| Claim | a lot of black money is recovered from Gujarat BJP leader Shikhar Agarwal’s house during a raid |
| Claimed by | Naveen Mishra, Voice of Sikhs, Sakshi Gupta, Dr. Ahtesham Siddiqui, etc |
| Fact Check | False and Misleading |
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