A video is being widely circulated on social media showing two female students beating a man wearing a saffron scarf. Several users sharing the video claim that a Muslim man named ‘Abdul’ was trying to snatch the mobile phone of a schoolgirl, but the girls bravely confronted him, caught him and beat him.
However, Times Headline’s fact-check found that the claim is misleading. The man seen in the viral video has not been identified as Abdul or as a Muslim. According to the police, his name is Manpreet Singh, a resident of Jalandhar, Punjab.
What is being claimed on social media?
Sharing the video, a user named ocean jain wrote: ‘Abdul, wearing saffron clothes, tried to snatch a schoolgirl’s mobile phone. The students bravely opposed him and fought back. Then the girls slapped him repeatedly.’
The video was also shared by a user named SP Sharma, who presented the incident as an episode of harassment and attached a communal claim to it. The user wrote:
‘The reality of Allah, Mohammad, Islam, Quran and Muslims (except my Abdul for upper-caste/Brahmin girls) is that by wearing a saffron cap, no upper-caste person has the courage to harass someone, take action, speak up or even stand against it. Stay silent, look away and wait until it happens to your own sister or daughter.’
Several other social media users also shared the video claiming that ‘Abdul’, described as a Muslim man, had attempted to snatch a mobile phone from the students.
Times Headline’s investigation
Times Headline examined the viral video and found that the incident took place in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, under the jurisdiction of the Padav police station. The accused has been identified as Manpreet Singh, a resident of Jalandhar, Punjab.
As part of the investigation, key frames from the viral video were extracted and subjected to reverse image searches. This led to several media reports about the incident, including reports published by Aaj Tak, ETV Bharat and Dainik Bhaskar.
According to an Aaj Tak report, two twin sisters in Gwalior showed courage while pursuing a man who had allegedly snatched a mobile phone and was trying to flee. The sisters reportedly chased him on their scooter at a speed of around 80 kmph, intercepted him at Phoolbagh intersection and knocked him down with their scooter. They then caught him and beat him on the road.
The report identified the accused as Manpreet, a resident of Jalandhar, Punjab, who had come to Gwalior for work.
ETV Bharat also reported that the incident took place in the Padav police station area. According to the report, the accused allegedly snatched a mobile phone and fled on a motorcycle, after which the sisters chased and caught him before handing him over to the police. The police later honoured the two sisters for their courage.
ETV Bharat quoted Padav police station in-charge Shailendra Bhargava as saying:
‘The accused has been taken into custody by the police. His name is Manpreet. He is originally from Punjab and works as a food delivery worker while staying in Gwalior.’
Dainik Bhaskar’s report also identified the accused as Manpreet.
Police clarification
Times Headline contacted Padav police station in-charge Shailendra Bhargava regarding the incident. He clarified that the accused is not a Muslim. According to the police, the accused is Manpreet Singh, son of Jaspal Singh Kaur, and a resident of Jalandhar, Punjab.
The police clarification directly contradicts the social media posts identifying the accused as ‘Abdul’ and describing him as a Muslim man.
Conclusion
The viral claim is misleading.
The man seen in the video is not identified as ‘Abdul’. Police have identified him as Manpreet Singh, a resident of Jalandhar, Punjab. The incident took place in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, where two sisters reportedly chased and caught a man accused of snatching a mobile phone.
Therefore, presenting the incident as an act by a Muslim man named ‘Abdul’ and giving it a communal angle is false and misleading.