A video showing a group of people attacking a man with sticks and sharp weapons is being widely circulated on social media. Users sharing the video claim that social worker Satish Marathe was allegedly beaten to death by a group of Muslim youths in Surat, Gujarat.
The posts further claim that the accused were Bangladeshi Muslims living in slums in Surat and that Marathe had been demanding an investigation into their identities and the removal of the slums.
One user, Udayveer Singh Chandel, shared the video with the claim: In Surat, Gujarat, a young social activist named Satish Marathe was brutally murdered by Muslim youths; they took him near a slum and killed him by hacking him with a *farsa* (a type of axe). Two individuals—Arbaz and Karim Baron—have been arrested so far. It is reported that the slum dwellers are Bangladeshis; Satish Marathe had been investigating the matter and had demanded the removal of the slum, following which the Muslim youths from the slum robbed and killed him.
Another user, ANIL GIRI – X CLASSES, shared the same video and wrote: In Surat, Gujarat, social activist Satish Marathe was brutally murdered by Muslim youths; they took him near a slum and hacked him to death with a *farsa* (a traditional heavy-bladed weapon). Two individuals—Arbaz and Karim Bairon—have been arrested so far. It is reported that the slum dwellers involved are Bangladeshi nationals; Marathe had been investigating this matter and had demanded the removal of the slum. Subsequently, the Muslim youths from the slum committed robbery and murder. #Gujarat #Murder.
Several other social media users have also circulated the video with similar claims.
Fact Check
Times Headline’s investigation found that the communal claim accompanying the viral video is misleading. Available media reports and the police statement do not support the claim that Satish Marathe was killed by Muslims.
During the investigation, Times Headline contacted Sanjay Desai, the officer in charge of Bhestan Police Station in Surat. He rejected the viral claim and clarified that there was no communal angle to the case and not a single accused was Muslim.
According to the police, Rahul Mandal has emerged as the main accused in the murder case.
Media reports about the incident state that Satish, also identified in some reports as Satish Maratha, was attacked in the Bhestan area of Surat. A video of the incident also surfaced, showing several attackers surrounding him and assaulting him with sharp weapons, including swords, dharia and knives.
A News18 Marathi report stated that the murder was allegedly being planned for several months. According to the report, a pistol was allegedly arranged on the instructions of Rahul Mandal, while a GPS tracker was reportedly obtained to monitor Satish’s movements. The tracker was allegedly placed under the driver’s seat of his car without his knowledge.
A Maharashtra Times report stated that two earlier attempts to kill Satish had failed. The attackers allegedly continued tracking his movements through the GPS device. According to the report, when Satish reached the Bhestan area, the attackers who were allegedly waiting there ambushed him.
According to a Lokmat report, several accused were arrested while allegedly attempting to flee towards the Maharashtra border following the incident. Those arrested include Ketan alias Sunny Shirsath, Rahul alias Batko, Karan alias Pudul Hiramali Dubey, Ajit alias Justin Goswami, Akash Batko and four minors. The report also mentioned that the process of arresting alleged main conspirator Rahul Mandal was underway, while another accused, Rinku, remained absconding.
Sanjay Desai, the officer in charge of Bhestan Police Station, also told Times Headline that there was no communal angle to the case. He specifically stated that none of the accused was Muslim. Police identified Rahul Mandal as the main accused and said that several other suspects had also been arrested.
Conclusion
The murder of Satish Marathe in Surat did take place, but the claim that he was killed by Muslim youths or Bangladeshi Muslims living in local slums is misleading and unsupported by the available evidence.
The police have clearly stated that there is no communal angle to the case and that not a single accused is Muslim. Rahul Mandal has been identified as the main accused, while several other suspects have been arrested.
Therefore, the viral video is real, but the communal narrative being attached to it is false and misleading.