Listen to the article
The horrific incident that unfolded in Deoria district of Uttar Pradesh has gained widespread attention after a disturbing video circulated online showing a man retrieving a child’s body from a river. However, misinformation about the perpetrator’s identity has spread rapidly across social media platforms, necessitating a fact-based clarification.
Contrary to viral claims attributing the crime to a Muslim man named Mohammed Akram, investigations reveal the accused is actually Vidyasagar Yadav, a Hindu man who committed the heinous act against his own niece.
The video gained traction when several social media users shared it with inflammatory captions falsely identifying the perpetrator as Mohammed Akram and claiming he had raped and murdered his brother’s nine-year-old daughter before disposing of her body in a river.
A thorough investigation, including reverse image searches of key frames from the viral video, traced the incident to Pratappur in Deoria district, Uttar Pradesh. News reports from multiple regional outlets, including Dainik Bhaskar and Jagran, covered the case with supporting images and footage that matched the viral video.
According to the Jagran report, the incident occurred on February 11 when Vidyasagar lured his seven-year-old niece away from school under the pretext of buying her shampoo. He took the child to a nearby field where he sexually assaulted her. When the young girl screamed, he strangled her to death before disposing of her body in the Jharhi River. Serampur police later recovered the victim’s body from the river and apprehended Vidyasagar.
To verify these details and address the misinformation, reporters contacted Rampratap Singh, Aaj Tak’s correspondent in Deoria district, as well as Sunil Kumar Singh, the additional Superintendent of Police in Deoria. Both confirmed that no Muslim individual was involved in the crime.
Additional SP Sunil Kumar Singh stated unequivocally, “The accused is Vidyasagar Yadav, who is a Hindu and the uncle of the deceased victim girl. We have already arrested the accused, and he has been remanded to jail custody by court order.”
Official confirmation came on February 14 when the Deoria Police released a statement through their official channels corroborating these facts and clarifying the perpetrator’s identity.
This case highlights a disturbing trend of communalizing crimes on social media platforms, where fabricated information is used to incite religious tensions. The false narrative attempted to frame the incident as an example of violence within the Muslim community, with inflammatory rhetoric suggesting similar threats to other communities.
Child sexual abuse remains a serious concern across India, with the National Crime Records Bureau reporting over 40,000 cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act annually. Experts note that cases involving family members as perpetrators are particularly challenging to address due to complex family dynamics and hesitancy in reporting.
Law enforcement agencies continue to emphasize the importance of verifying information before sharing content online, particularly involving sensitive cases of violence against children. The Deoria Police have urged citizens to rely on official channels for information about criminal cases to prevent the spread of misinformation that could potentially inflame communal tensions.
The accused, Vidyasagar Yadav, remains in custody as legal proceedings continue. Authorities have assured the public that the investigation is proceeding according to established protocols and that justice will be served through proper legal channels.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
20 Comments
This is a heartbreaking case, and I’m glad the authorities were able to identify the real perpetrator. Spreading misinformation, especially about sensitive crimes, can be very harmful and undermine the pursuit of justice.
You make a good point. Responsible reporting and transparency around the facts are important to ensure the focus remains on the actual crime and its victims, not false narratives.
This case highlights the importance of verifying information, especially when it involves sensitive topics and accusations against specific individuals or communities. I’m glad the authorities were able to identify the real perpetrator and correct the false narrative.
You’re right. Spreading misinformation, even with good intentions, can be very harmful and undermine the pursuit of justice. Fact-checking and responsible reporting are crucial in these situations.
It’s good to see the authorities taking this seriously and correcting the false narrative that was circulating. Proper investigation and reporting of the facts is crucial to maintain public trust and ensure justice.
Absolutely. Jumping to conclusions or making unsubstantiated claims can have serious consequences. Fact-checking is the responsible approach here.
It’s disturbing to see how quickly misinformation can spread, especially around sensitive incidents like this. I’m glad the authorities were able to identify the real perpetrator and correct the false claims. Fact-checking is essential in these cases.
Agreed. Rushing to judgment or making unsubstantiated accusations can have serious consequences and distract from the real issues. Responsible journalism and transparency around the facts are important to maintain public trust and ensure justice is served properly.
It’s unfortunate that false claims were circulating about this incident. I’m glad the authorities were able to identify the real perpetrator and provide the accurate details. Fact-checking is essential, especially when it comes to sensitive crimes and accusations.
Absolutely. Jumping to conclusions or making unsubstantiated claims can have serious consequences and distract from the real issues. Responsible journalism and transparency around the facts are important in these cases.
This is a tragic incident, and I’m glad the authorities were able to identify the actual perpetrator. It’s important to verify information, especially when sensitive cases involve accusations against specific individuals or communities.
You’re right, spreading misinformation can be very harmful. Fact-checking is crucial to ensure justice is served properly.
The details of this case are disturbing. I appreciate the media outlets taking the time to investigate and report the accurate information. Spreading false claims, especially about such a heinous crime, is unacceptable.
Agreed. Misinformation can inflame tensions and distract from the real issues. Responsible journalism is important in these sensitive situations.
It’s disturbing to see how quickly misinformation can spread, especially around such a tragic incident. I’m glad the media outlets took the time to investigate and provide the accurate details. Fact-checking is crucial in these situations.
Agreed. Rushing to judgment or making unsubstantiated claims can have serious consequences and distract from the real issues at hand. Responsible journalism is essential.
This is a tragic case, and I appreciate the media outlets taking the time to investigate and report the accurate information. Spreading misinformation, especially about such a heinous crime, can be very harmful and undermine the pursuit of justice.
You make a good point. Fact-checking and responsible reporting are crucial in these situations to ensure the focus remains on the actual crime and its victims, not false narratives.
This case highlights the importance of verifying information and not jumping to conclusions, especially when it comes to sensitive crimes and accusations against specific individuals or communities. I’m glad the authorities were able to provide the accurate details.
You make a good point. Spreading misinformation, even with good intentions, can be very harmful and undermine the pursuit of justice. Fact-checking and responsible reporting are crucial in these situations.