The Verdict Misleading

The Commissioner's office told Logically Facts that he collapsed due to low blood pressure but recovered shortly after.

What is the claim?

A 45-second video of Thiruvananthapuram City Police Commissioner Thomson Jose collapsing at an event has been shared with the claim that he suffered a cardiac arrest and died. 

A Facebook user shared a video (archived here) with a caption in Telugu that translates to, "Yesterday, Thiruvananthapuram Police Commissioner Thomas Jose collapsed and died." Archive links to similar posts can be found here and here.

Screenshots of some of the posts circulating online (Source: Facebook/Screenshot/Modified by Logically Facts)

 

However, the claim is misleading. Though Thomson Jose was seen collapsing at the event, it was due to low blood pressure, not a heart attack, and he recovered after medical aid.

What are the facts?

The viral video has the logo of Manorama News at the bottom left corner. Using this clue, we found the original video (archived here) shared by the news channel on Instagram. The post caption, in Malayalam, translates to: "Thiruvananthapuram City Police Commissioner Thomson Jose collapsed during the Republic Day celebrations." 

A Google search based on this caption led us to a report published by local news outlet Mathrubhumi on January 26, 2025, headlined: "City Police Commissioner faints at Republic Day event in presence of Kerala Governor." 

According to the report, the incident happened at the Republic Day celebrations organized at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on January 26. Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar was delivering his Republic Day speech when the Commissioner fainted suddenly due to heat stroke, the report stated, adding he was given medical aid in an ambulance at the venue. The report added that the Commissioner returned to the event after his condition stabilized.

Logically Facts contacted the Thiruvananthapuram City Police Commissioner's office for more information on what happened. Sreeja VS, Confidential Assistant to the Commissioner, said, "The Commissioner collapsed due to low blood pressure. The Commissioner did not have breakfast that day; he had been at the parade grounds since early morning for the Republic Day celebrations. Nothing else happened to his health. He was provided initial medical aid, and then he was alright and resumed the event. He is perfectly alright now."

Sreeja VS added that a probe has been initiated into the false claims, and action will be taken.

The verdict

A video of the Thiruvananthapuram Police Commissioner collapsing due to low blood pressure has been shared with the false claim that he suffered a fatal cardiac arrest.

(This story was originally published by logicallyfacts.com, and republished by english.varthabharati.in as part of the Shakti Collective)

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Shivamogga: The bodies of three workers who had died in an incident of landslide near a hairpin bend on State Highway 52 in Hulikal Ghat of Hosanagar taluk on Thursday were recovered by the State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) and fire brigade staff members on Friday.

The mishap reportedly occurred during the work of widening the road near the Shri Chandikamba Temple at Hulikal Ghat.

The deceased workers are identified as Raghu of Chakkaru village near Shivamogga city, and Shabbir and Raju of Nelagallu village, Haveri district.

The bodies of Raghu and Raju were found on Thursday night, while Shabbir’s body was found at 3 am on Friday. The bodies have been shifted to the mortuary of the city hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Four other workers are said to have been injured and are being treated in hospital.

Senior BJP leader and Theerthahalli MLA Araga Jnanendra paid a visit to the mishap scene and also visited the hospital to inquire about the health condition of the workers.

He expressed sorrow at the loss of life in the incident and told reporters he offered condolence and support to the bereaved families.

The State Highway 52 has been blocked at Hulikal Ghat for traffic movement at present, following the Thursday landslide. Although it is a prominent stretch that connects Shivamogga to Theerthahalli, Nagara, Hulikal Ghat and Kundapur, the authorities have announced it closure for vehicular movement till further instructions.

In addition, the district authorities have asked vehicle users to avoid the Agumbe Ghat route in Theerthahalli taluk and Nittur-Nagodi Ghat route of Hosanagar taluk, which are most frequently used, and take alternative roads.