Man in viral video supporting Shraddha Walkar's murder pretended to be a Muslim

Hyderabad: Twitter is flooded with videos of a man openly supporting and justifying the cold-blooded murder of Shraddha Walkar by Aftab Poonawala. The man introduces himself as "Rashid Khan" from Bulandshahr and says he would do the same if anyone angered him.

FACT CHECK

NewsMeter found a tweet by Bulandshahr police that reads, "A video made in Delhi came to our notice through social media, in which a person had made objectionable remarks claiming himself to be a resident of Bulandshahr. The accused has been arrested by the Secunderabad police station." (Translated)

The police also confirmed that the man has been identified as Vikas Kumar and was pretending to be a Muslim.

Reports by The Times of India, Hindustan Times, and The Indian Express confirmed that the real name of the man in the viral interview clip was Vikas Gupta. He faked his name and religion to defame the Muslim community.

NDTV also reported, "Vikas Kumar, a resident of Sikandrabad in Bulandshahr district, pretended to be Rashid Khan while speaking to a reporter in Delhi on the sensational murder case. He justified Aaftab's actions, saying such things happen in rage, and not just 35, it could have been 36 pieces as well. On being asked if he could do it too, he said people do such things in anger, and it's not a big deal."

Media reports quoted Bulandshahr senior superintendent of police Shlok Kumar as saying, "Vikas has a criminal record, with cases registered against him in Bulandshahr and Noida relating to theft and carrying illegal arms."

From this, it is evident that the man seen in the viral video is Vikas Kumar and not Rashid Khan. He was pretending to be a Muslim man. He has been arrested.

Hence, the claim is false.