Old Unrelated Video Shared as Indian Army Attacking Anti-CEC Protester in Delhi

We found out that the video dates back to 2017, predating the recent anti-CEC protests.

An old video is going viral on social media, falsely claiming to show the Indian Army assaulting an anti-CEC protester in Delhi.

(Source: X/Altered by The Quint)

A video is going viral on social media, claiming to show the Indian Army assaulting an anti-CEC protester in Delhi.

• The viral claim also states that the brutality is being carried out based on orders from Lieutenant General Rajesh Sethi.

An archived version of this claim can be found here.

(Source: X/Screenshot)

(Archived versions of similar claims can be found here and here.)

Is it true?: No, the claim is false, as the video dates back to 2017.

How did we find out?: We ran a reverse image search on the video using Google Lens and found a post from 2020 with visuals matching the viral clip.

• The video was uploaded to Instagram on 11 April 2020, which predates the recent anti-CEC protests.

The video dates back to at least 2020. 

(Source: Instagram/Screenshot)

• Using screengrabs from this video, we ran another reverse image search, which led us to two reports that shared the same visuals.

• Pakistani news organisation Dawn published a report on 15 April 2017, stating that the viral video allegedly showed Indian security forces torturing a Kashmiri youth.

• According to the report, Hurriyat chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said the video is from the Pulwama area.

Here's a preview of the report by Dawn.

(Source: Dawn/Screenshot)

• News organisation Deccan Herald published an article on 15 April 2017, reporting that two videos of youth being allegedly attacked by soldiers are being shared on social media.

• According to the report, the videos were being shared, purportedly showing army soldiers beating youth and forcing them to chant anti-Pakistani slogans.

Here's a preview of the report by Deccan Herald.

(Source: Deccan Herald/Screenshot)

Delhi Police's confirmation: We also found a comment from the official X account of Delhi Police under the viral video, stating that the video was shared out of context and has nothing to do with current events.

Delhi Police confirmed that the claim is false. 

(Source: X/Screenshot)

Conclusion: The video dates back to 2017 and does not show army officials attacking anti-CEC protesters in Delhi.

(Not convinced of a post or information you came across online and want it verified? Send us the details on WhatsApp at 9540511818 , or e-mail it to us at [e-mail] and we'll fact-check it for you. You can also read all our fact-checked stories here.)