Overview

• Officials determined the video originated from an April 2024 family murder in Pakistan’s Muzaffargarh district but was recirculated with false audio blaming Bajrang Dal members.
• The manipulated content reached hundreds of people through multiple large WhatsApp groups, raising concerns about mob lynching or lone-wolf attacks.
• During interrogation, the accused admitted their intent was to inflame Hindu-Muslim tensions at the peak of the Kanwar Yatra.
• A case has been filed under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the IT Act and three mobile phones have been seized.
• Police are conducting raids across other states and examining forensic data from the phones as they probe possible involvement of Pakistan-based ISI handlers.