From misinformation around Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Manipur, an old video of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Anurag Thakur, International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman Jay Shah, and former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi linked to the Asia Cup and the last date of income tax returns filing, here are the viral pieces of fake news that we fact-checked this week.
1. Old Video Peddled as Recent Visuals of Violence Breaking Out in Churachandpur
A video showing smoke fumes forming over an area is being shared on social media platforms with a claim that it depicts recent visuals of violence breaking out in Manipur's Churachandpur.
Those sharing the clip alleged that the ‘violent’ Kuki Zo community continued to attack government and civilian infrastructures a day after PM Modi’s visit.
However, this claim is false. We found a longer version of the viral clip, which could be traced back to at least September 2015. It reportedly showed protesters outside a police station in Manipur.
Read the fact-check here.
2. Fake Circular Viral as Last Date of Filing ITR Extended to 30 September
A notification dated 14 September attributed to the Ministry of Finance and the Central Board of Direct Taxes went viral on social media.
The notice claimed that the last date of filing the income tax returns has been extended to 30 September, which was initially due on 15 September.
However, the circular was fake which was also debunked by the Income Tax department.
The last date of filing the ITR was extended to 16 September. (original date of filing was 31 July, then, extended to 15 September.)
Read the fact-check here.
3. This Video of MP Anurag Thakur, Jay Shah & Shahid Afridi Is Not From Asia Cup
A video showing Anurag Thakur, Jay Shah and Shahid Afridi sitting together in a stadium went viral.
Social media users linked the video to the ongoing 2025 Asia Cup amid heightened tensions over India-Pakistan matches following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in April.
However, the claim is false. The video could be traced back to at least February, when India played against Pakistan in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
Read the fact-check here.
4. Fact-Check: Does This Selfie Show Rahul Gandhi With a Woman? No, It’s AI!
An image showing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with a woman wearing sunglasses is being shared on social media, where users have questioned the identity of the woman in the photograph.
Some users have claimed that it shows the "daughter of a drug lord" Veronique Cartelli.
No, the claim is false as the image was created using Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Read the fact-check here.
5. Misleading Posts About ‘Sena Jal’ Being Available in Market Go Viral
A social media post urging people to purchase ‘Sena Jal’, a bottled water brand allegedly introduced by the “Indian Army Wives Welfare Association” is being shared on social media.
The post claims that a 500 ml bottle was priced at just Rs 6 and a 1litre bottle at Rs 10, promoting it as an affordable alternative.
Additionally, it appealed to consumers to avoid buying bottled water from foreign companies, encouraging support for this supposedly Indian initiative.
The claim is misleading. While the Army Women's Welfare Association (AWWA) had launched the Sena Jal Project in October 2017 at Delhi Cantt, however, the water bottles are not available in the local market.
Read the fact-check here.
(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 webqoof@thequint.com and we'll fact-check it for you. You can also read all our fact-checked stories here.)