Old Video of Bengaluru Vendor Arrested for Allegedly Spitting in Food Revived

The old 2022 video has resurfaced and has been given a communal spin.

Fact-Check: This is not a recent incident but old from 2022. 

(Source: The Quint) 

A clip has gone viral with the claim that a Muslim popcorn seller in Bengaluru was found selling popcorn adulterated with urine in place of salt to provide a salty flavour on social media platforms.

An archive of the post can be found here. 

(Source: X) 

(Archives of similar claims can be found here and here.) We received a query about this on our WhatsApp tipline number.

Is the claim true?: No, the claim is misleading as the incident is an old one.

• This is from 2022, when a popcorn vendor was arrested for allegedly adding his urine instead of salt to popcorn. However, after investigating the case, the Bengaluru police released him on bail.

What we found: We ran a keyword search using the words in the viral claim.

• We came across an article by the News Minute from 2022 which covered a story about a popcorn seller from Bengaluru who was arrested for allegedly adding his urine instead of salt.

• The story noted that the seller denied any such act and said that it only happened because of his religious identity, that is, Muslim. He said. "The man created an issue only after hearing my name. He might have let go of me if I had said a different name, a Hindu name."

• We then found the video by TV9 Kannada, which was also uploaded in 2022. The video mentioned that the locals blamed the popcorn vendor.

• A story by The Hindu noted that the man used his teeth to rip open the oil packet to pour oil into the pan, and he did not spit into the food.

• Nonetheless, those passing by caused a commotion insisting on his arrest. The Siddapura police swiftly arrived at the scene, apprehended the vendor named Nawaz Pasha and confiscated the machines. His statement was documented, and he was freed on station bail.

Conclusion: An old case of 2022 about a Bengaluru vendor is being shared on social media platforms as a recent one.

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