News Brief

Fact Check: Did Ravish Kumar Try To Turn Gun Wielding Delhi Rioter Shahrukh Into Anurag Mishra 

Swarajya Staff

Feb 27, 2020, 12:42 PM | Updated 12:42 PM IST


The man who opened fire during CAA protests in North-East Delhi
The man who opened fire during CAA protests in North-East Delhi

A video of the shocking act had earlier gone viral in which a 33-year-old, later identified as Shahrukh from Shahdara, could be seen approaching a policeman holding a gun and firing indiscriminately during the recent violence in Delhi.

However, certain elements began making an attempt to claim that the man being identified as Shahrukh was actually “Anurag Mishra”.

Screenshot of post claiming Shahrukh to be Anurag Mishra. 
Screenshot of post claiming Shahrukh to be Anurag Mishra. 

This claim was also peddled by journalist Ravish Kumar on national television. “The police is claiming that the shooter is Shahrukh, but he is being identified as Anurag Mishra. It is required that the cops re-identify him”, Ravish can be heard as saying.

This was picked up by many prominent social media users including former MANUU chancellor Zafar Sareshwala who accused “bigoted hate mongers” of spreading lies.

However, as per India Today Anti Fake News War Room (AFWA), Shahrukh and Anurag Mishra are two different people. Additionally, as per Mishra’s Facebook account, he is an actor living in Mumbai.

On top of it various media outlets quoted the Delhi Police as identifying the shooter as Shahrukh.

Paragraph from ABP News. 
Paragraph from ABP News. 

Even NDTV, the sister publication of Ravish’s channel quoted the cops as identifying the shooter as Shahrukh.

Paragraph from NDTV’s report
Paragraph from NDTV’s report

A person claiming to be the said Anurag Mishra later also took to social media and released a video saying that he is being falsely accused of the act and vowed to file a complaint against each and every one of those who falsely accused him of the act.

This led many to question why Ravish sought to speculate the identity of the shooter on air when he could have very well directed a reporter to dial up the cops and confirm the identity.

People also pointed out that Anurag Mishra’s career could have been destroyed thanks to the accusations made without due diligence. The shooter Shahrukh who fired eight rounds, is currently in police custody.


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