Fact Check: UP police give ‘lathi treatment’ for pro-Pakistan sloganeering? No, find the truth here
A video, showing police giving lathi treatment to a group of youths, is circulating online with the claim that they raised pro-Pakistan slogans in Uttar Pradesh.
By Md Mahfooz Alam
Claim:The video shows Uttar Pradesh police giving lathi treatment to youths who raised pro-Pakistan slogans.
Fact:The claim is false. The video is from Andhra Pradesh, and the youths being beaten were accused of attacking a constable while allegedly under the influence of drugs.
Hyderabad: A graphic video circulating on social media shows police using lathis to beat three young men on the road as a crowd looks on.
The video is being shared with the claim that the youths had raised pro-Pakistan slogans.
In the footage, the individuals are seen flinching and crying out in pain as officers strike the soles of their feet. Toward the end of the video, one officer is seen pinning a third individual by stepping on his knees while another continues to beat him on the soles.
One X user shared the video and wrote, “This is how people who say Pakistan Zindabad are treated - UP Police.” (Archive)
Fact Check
NewsMeter found that the claim is false, as the video is from Andhra Pradesh and the incident is not related to pro-Pakistan sloganeering.
A reverse image search of keyframes led us to a video published by Times Now on Facebook on May 27. According to the caption, the disturbing incident took place on the Tenali Highway in Andhra Pradesh, where a police officer was seen brutally beating three men, Victor, Babulal and Rakesh, on the roadside. The men were forced to sit with their legs out as the officer struck the soles of their feet with a stick.
The trio was reportedly accused of attacking a constable while allegedly under the influence of drugs. The video sparked widespread outrage online, leading to the suspension of the officer after the footage went viral.
We also came across a screengrab from the video in a report by India Today, published on May 27, titled ‘Video shows Andhra cops beating men in public, Jagan’s party blames TDP rule.’
What is the case about?
According to the report, the three men were picked up by police in connection with a complaint filed earlier by constable Kanna Chiranjeevi, who had accused them of assaulting him. Police claimed the trio was under the influence of ganja at the time. A case was registered against them under stringent provisions of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and the Indian Penal Code, including charges of attempt to murder and criminal conspiracy. The report did not mention that they were beaten for raising pro-Pakistan slogans.
The Times of India, News18 and Andhra Jyothy also reported the incident with the same details. However, none of these reports mentioned any connection to pro-Pakistan sloganeering.
Therefore, we conclude that the video is neither from Uttar Pradesh nor is it related to pro-Pakistan sloganeering. The claim is false.
