Fact-checking platform Rumor Scanner has debunked a widely circulated social media video falsely claiming that a Hindu woman in Bangladesh was raped and tortured by Muslims. The video, which depicts an injured woman emerging from a pond at night, has been confirmed to involve a Muslim woman allegedly linked to a robbery, not a Hindu victim of assault.
The investigation by Rumor Scanner revealed that the woman, identified as Lovely Akter, was not a victim of rape but part of an attempted robbery gone awry. “The claims of rape are baseless propaganda. Lovely Akter is a Muslim and was apprehended by locals during a robbery attempt,” the fact-checking body stated in a report published on Friday.
Social Media Misinformation
The video was shared on various platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), with captions falsely asserting communal violence. One post claimed, “A Hindu woman was brutally raped and tortured in Araihazar village of Narayanganj,” while another alleged, “Bangladeshi Hindu woman r@ped, tortured, and mocked in the Islamic Republic of Bangladesh.”
Using the clue of the alleged location, Araihazar in Narayanganj, Rumor Scanner traced the original video to a Facebook page named Araihazar Times. The page described the incident in Bangla, stating that two robbers were apprehended by locals, one of whom succumbed to a mob beating, while the female accomplice was handed over to the police.
What Actually Happened
According to reports, the robbery attempt took place in Kahindi village under Araihazar Upazila. Police stated that a group of robbers had planned to ambush a vehicle, but vigilant villagers foiled the attempt.
- One robber, identified as Md. Billal, was beaten to death by the mob.
- The female accomplice, Lovely Akter, jumped into a pond to escape but was caught and handed over to the authorities.
- Law enforcement confirmed that Lovely is a member of the robbery gang, known for stopping vehicles to loot valuables.
Police and Witness Statements
Local police and eyewitness accounts further debunked the claims. Enayet Hossain, the officer-in-charge of Araihazar Police Station, confirmed that Lovely is Muslim and has a history of involvement in criminal activities, including robbery and alleged immoral conduct.
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Mehedi Islam, Senior Assistant Superintendent of Police in Narayanganj, stated, “The woman is Muslim, and the rape allegations are entirely false. This is blatant propaganda to spread communal hatred.”
Fact-Check Summary
The narrative of the video was deliberately altered to incite communal tension. Here’s the truth:
- The woman in the video is a Muslim named Lovely Akter.
- She was apprehended for her alleged involvement in a robbery.
- Claims of rape and her being Hindu are completely false and unfounded.
This incident highlights the importance of verifying information before sharing content online. Social media users are urged to rely on credible sources to prevent the spread of misinformation that could inflame communal divisions.
