Hacker falsely claims to tamper EVMs
The results of the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly Elections were announced on November 23. The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance achieved a historic victory, securing 235 out of 288 seats, with the BJP winning 135 seats alone. Following the results, various claims have surfaced on social media alleging that the victory involved dubious methods and EVM tampering. Meanwhile, a video is circulating showing a man claiming over a video call that he can hack EVMs. It is being alleged with this video that a deal was made on a per-seat basis in Maharashtra and that journalists conducted a sting operation exposing an EVM hacker.
IP Singh wrote, “How much truth there is in his serious talks on YouTube is a big matter of investigation. Considering the seriousness of this matter, the Hon’ble Supreme Court, CBI, ED should conduct a high level investigation so that the truth can be revealed.”
Hansraj Meena wrote, “A new and shocking evidence has come to light regarding EVM hacking – live conversation of EVM hackers! Now what will those who repeatedly said that EVM cannot be hacked say? This incident raises serious questions on the truth of democracy, and raises concerns about the transparency and fairness of the electoral process.”
Shaikh Javed alleged, “Was EVM hacked in Maharashtra? Deal fixed at Rs 53 crore per seat? Maharashtra: A sting operation of hacking EVM has come to light in which the hacker made a big claim!”
Murti Nain claimed, “A sting operation of EVM hacking has come to light in which the hacker is being given the contract to give more than 70 seats in the Maharashtra elections. The hacker is saying that he has access to 288 seats, a deal has been done for 63 seats. The rate for each seat has been fixed at Rs 52 to 53 crores. It is being said that this sting operation has been done by Aaj Tak channel Mumbai Tak.”
Mumbai Congress wrote, “Peger can be hacked. Walkie talkie can be hacked. Mobile phone can be hacked. Computer can be hacked.”
Shambhu Patwa stated, “Live video of conversation between EVM hackers in Maharashtra! Those who say that EVMs cannot be hacked should watch this video. The hacker who hacked EVM in Maharashtra revealed the secret of BJP’s bumper victory.”
Also Read: Claim That Congress Candidate Received Zero Votes in Avadhan Village of Dhule District Is Misleading
In our fact check research, we ran keyword search and found a report published by India Today on November 15. According to the report, the person in the video claiming to hack EVMs is a self proclaimed cyber expert, Syed Shuja, who contacted a senior leader of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) before the Maharashtra elections. Syed Shuja told that he works on contract in the US Defense Department and can hack EVMs using USA technology. After this, a senior MP of MVA contacted Aaj Tak, who conducted a sting operation by posing as the MP’s personal assistant and spoke to Shuja. This part of the conversation is going viral on social media.
The report further states that this is not the first time Shuja has claimed to hack EVMs. Back in January 21, 2019, Shuja held a press conference organized by the Indian Journalists Association (IJA) in London. In the press conference, Shuja made several shocking allegations via video call. He claimed that he was employed with the Electronic Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) from 2009 to 2014 and was part of the team that developed the EVMs used in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
It was also found that in 2019, the self-proclaimed cyber expert stirred controversy and attracted media attention after his controversial press conference. The Times of India reported the event. According to the report, Shuja, while speaking in London, claimed that he worked with ECIL from 2009 to 2014 and designed EVMs. He also claimed that the 2014 general elections were rigged in favour of the BJP and that BJP leader Gopinath Munde was killed in an accident because he had knowledge about the alleged hacking. Shuja also claimed that attempts were made to hack EVMs in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh elections, but he prevented it. He said that he fled India after 2014 as he felt threatened in the country when some of his team members were killed.
On further investigation, we found another report published by India Today in 2019, which debunked Shuja’s claim of working with ECIL. The report states that after Shuja’s press conference, Sanjay Chaubey, chairman and managing director of EVM-manufacturing company Electronic Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), wrote a letter to Deputy Election Commissioner Sudeep Jain clarifying that the company’s records were examined and it was found that Syed Shuja was neither a regular employee of ECIL nor was he involved in any way in the design and development of EVMs manufactured at ECIL between 2009 and 2014.
According to Aaj Tak’s report, Chief Election Commissioner SY Qureshi said “Like everyone else, I was also curious to know about that PC, but the hacker could not prove any of his claims. Qureshi said that a whole technical team was involved in making EVMs, which also included five professors from IIT. In such a situation, saying that EVMs can be hacked is completely wrong.”
Apart from his claims of EVM hacking and having worked with ECIL, Shuja also claimed to have obtained a PhD minor in Mathematics from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad (JNTUH) and a B.Tech in Computer Science from Shadan College in Hyderabad. However, according to an Aaj Tak report, the college refuted Shuja’s claim. Dr. Atiq, Principal of Shadan College of Engineering and Technology, stated that a review of the college’s records from 1995 to 2002 revealed no student by that name who had completed a PhD in Mathematics or any other field.
Lastly, in 2019, following the press conference, the Delhi Police registered an FIR against Syed Shuja based on a complaint filed by the Election Commission of India. The FIR was filed under Section 505 of the Indian Penal Code (intent to cause fear and mischief among the public) at the Parliament Street police station.
| Claim | In a viral video, a man is explaining that he can hack EVMs. |
| Claimed by | IP Singh, Hansraj Meena and others |
| Conclusion | The claims made by Syed Shuja are false. He has previously made similar baseless allegations, which were refuted by the Election Commission of India, leading to an FIR being filed against him. |
Also Read: Old Video of Protest Against EVM is From Delhi, Not Maharashtra
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