Old newspaper clipping about Kerala man burned to death passed off as recent on social media
An old incident that took place in Kodungallur from 2012 is being shared as recent on social media
By Newsmeter Network Published on 8 Oct 2021 1:07 PM GMT
Hyderabad: A photo of a newspaper clipping is going viral on social media with the claim that a man in Kerala was burned to death by his girlfriend's family who belonged to a different community.
Users are sharing the clipping with a caption in Hindi that translates to, "In Kerala, a Hindu youth had a Muslim girlfriend. The family members called him under a conspiracy and burnt him alive. Now, neither the media is talking about it nor any leader is speaking on this lynching."
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Fact Check:
The claim is misleading.
NewsMeter read the news clipping and found that the incident took place in Kodungallur and the victim – Jithu Mohan – was the vice-captain of the Kerala junior football team.
A keyword search led to a report published by News18 on 3 October 2012. It said 23-year-old Jithu Mohan allegedly tried to immolate himself at the house of his lover's relatives at Methala in Kodungallur frustrated by their opposition to the love affair. He was admitted to the General Hospital in Ernakulam where he succumbed to his injuries later.
Another report by The New Indian Express, said Hindu Aikya Vedi activists protests with Jithu Mohan's body and blocked the Kayamkulam-Punaloor road demanding an investigation into his suspicious death. Irinjalakuda deputy SP Biju Bhasker told Indian Express that according to Mohan's dying statement, he was set ablaze by his lover's relatives.
Deccan Herald had also reported the incident.
Hence, an old incident from 2012 is being shared as recent on social media.
