Passenger’s fake theft claim at Delhi Airport with communal colour debunked by CISF
Media outlets amplify false communal claim without verifying or including official response
New Delhi: A passenger’s baseless claim of theft at Delhi Airport with communal colour has been debunked by the CISF. Dr Tushar Mehta, claiming to be an orthopaedic surgeon, had alleged on X that his Apple Watch was stolen after a security check at Terminal 3 of Delhi Airport. He accused two individuals, identified as Shoaib and Md Saqib, of being involved in the alleged theft, with one of them reportedly working at the Helios store in the terminal.
In his now-deleted tweet, Dr Mehta claimed that after placing his watch in a security tray, he realised it was missing upon crossing the scanner. He alleged that he confronted an individual, forcibly retrieved his watch from the person’s pocket, and accused the Helios store staff member of collusion. He further criticised the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel for their response, claiming they defended the accused and demanded an apology for his "rude behaviour."
Dr Mehta’s tweet quickly gained attention and was amplified by several news outlets without verifying the facts or seeking a response from the authorities.
CISF investigation debunks claims
The CISF, upon noticing the allegations, conducted a detailed investigation by reviewing CCTV footage. The footage revealed that Dr Mehta had taken his watch from the security tray himself and worn it before proceeding to the boarding gate. There was no evidence of interaction with any CISF personnel or suspicious behaviour by other individuals.
In its official statement, the CISF clarified, "The review of the CCTV has contradicted the sequence of events as narrated. After the security check, the passenger was seen wearing the watch and heading to the boarding gate without any interaction with CISF personnel. Posting such unsubstantiated messages creates unnecessary apprehension in the minds of passengers, hence avoidable."
Delhi Airport authorities also corroborated the CISF’s findings, emphasising that passenger safety and security are their top priorities.
Spread of misinformation
Despite the clarification by the CISF and Delhi Airport, the unverified claims were widely circulated by several media outlets, including propaganda platform @OpIndia_com, which republished the allegations without incorporating the official response. This further amplified the misinformation, contributing to unnecessary panic and divisive narratives.
Dr Mehta’s accusations specifically named individuals with Muslim names, raising concerns about the intent behind his statements. Critics on social media accused him of attempting to propagate communal narratives under the guise of a theft allegation. Following the debunking of his claims, Dr Mehta deleted his tweet.
Here are a few News reports based on his X post. How can propaganda outlet Opindia not report about it. pic.twitter.com/F4GcYAQXwC
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UDF leaders see local body poll trends as pointer to 2026 Assembly elections in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Buoyed by the strong performance of the Congress-led UDF in the local body polls, KPCC president Sunny Joseph said on Saturday that the front's results indicated the people had rejected the LDF government.
According to early trends, the UDF was leading in more grama panchayats, block panchayats, municipalities and corporations than the LDF.
The local body polls were held in two phases in the state earlier this week.
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Speaking to reporters here, Joseph said the people of Kerala had extended their support to the UDF.
"We could expose the LDF government’s anti-people stance and the people understood it. The LDF’s fake propaganda was rejected by the people. The UDF is moving towards a historic victory," he said.
He said a united effort, proper preparations, good candidate selection and hard work had resulted in the Congress and the UDF’s victory in the elections.
Asked about the prospects in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Joseph said the party was studying the matter and would comment later.
LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan said the results would be closely examined.
According to him, the government had done everything possible for the people.
"Why such a verdict happened will be examined at the micro level. People’s opinion will be considered and further steps will be taken," he said.
He added that decisions would be taken after analysing the results. "If any corrective measures are required, we will initiate them and move forward," he said.
AICC leader K C Venugopal said the results showed that people had begun ousting those who, he alleged, were responsible for the loss of gold at Lord Ayyappa’s temple.
"This trend will continue in the Assembly elections as well. It is an indication that the people are ready to bring down the LDF government," he said.
Venugopal said the UDF had registered victories even in CPI(M) and LDF strongholds.
"I congratulate all UDF workers for their hard work. Congress workers and leaders worked unitedly," he said.
Referring to remarks made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan against the Congress on polling day, Venugopal said the voters had responded through the verdict.
"I do not know whether the chief minister understands that the people are against him. Otherwise, he does not know the sentiment of the people. The state government cannot move an inch further," he said.
He said the results indicated a strong comeback for the UDF in Kerala.
Asked whether the Sabarimala gold loss issue had affected the LDF in the local polls, Venugopal said the CM and the CPI(M) state secretary did not take the issue seriously.
"We took a strong stand on the matter. The BJP played a foul game in it," he alleged.
On the BJP's role in the local body elections, Venugopal alleged that the party operated with the CPI(M) 's tacit support.
"The CPI(M) supported the central government on issues such as PM-SHRI, labour codes and corruption in national highway construction. The CPI(M) is facing ideological decline, and the state government’s policies are against the party’s own decisions," he said.
Meanwhile, LDF ally Kerala Congress (M) leader Jose K Mani said the party could not win all the wards it had expected in the elections.
He congratulated winners from all parties and said the party would closely examine the losses and identify shortcomings. "Later, we will take corrective measures," he added.
Senior Congress leader and MP Rajmohan Unnithan said the trends in the local body elections indicated that the UDF would return to power in the 2026 Assembly elections.
"We will win 111 seats as in 1977 and return to power in 2026. The anti-government sentiment of the people is reflected in the elections," he said.
Unnithan said the people were disturbed and unhappy with the present government.
"The trend indicates the end of the LDF government," he added.
CPI(M) MLA M M Mani said the people had shown ingratitude towards the LDF despite benefiting from welfare schemes.
"After receiving all welfare schemes and living comfortably, people voted against us due to some temporary sentiments. Is that not ingratitude," he asked.
Mani said no such welfare initiatives had taken place in Kerala earlier.
"People are receiving pensions and have enough to eat. Even after getting all this, they voted against us. This is what can be called ingratitude," he said.
Muslim League state president Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal said the results were beyond expectations.
"The outcome points towards the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, indicating that a change of government is imminent. We are going to win the Assembly election," he said.
