Image of man ‘beaten up by Delhi Police on R-Day’ was taken before farmer protests even began

Photo being shared widely on social media is not of a farmer who was caught in violent clashes between police and protesters that took place on 26 January but from a 2019 incident.

The image has been shared widely on social media platforms | Twitter | @LambaAlka

New Delhi: An image of a Sikh man with welts from being allegedly thrashed during the clashes between protesting farmers and Delhi Police on Republic Day has been widely shared on social media platforms.

The image shows bruises on the man’s back as well as other injuries. The social media post claimed that the man, a farmer, was beaten by the Delhi Police during the tractor rally.

The photograph was shared by handles of prominent people, including Congress leader Alka Lamba, Congress General Secretary Randeep Surjewala and Samajwadi Party leader I.P. Singh. Both Surjewala and Singh later deleted the tweet.

Lamba’s tweet has been liked by over 3,400 handles and retweeted by over 1,100.

Fact check

It has been found that the image is not from Republic Day, as claimed, when a tractor rally by farmers turned violent. The photo is actually from an incident in 2019, when a Sikh auto driver and his son were beaten by Delhi Police personnel after their vehicle allegedly bumped into a police van at Mukherjee Nagar area in the capital city.

The incident was reported in India Times and the Business Standard.

A #Sikh auto driver and his son brutally beaten up by Delhi Police. Suspending these policemen is not enough. We demand a strong action against them. @DelhiPolice @CPDelhi @AmitShah @narendramodipic.twitter.com/S3kDNuIokg

— Navdeep Singh (@Navdeep_UK) June 17, 2019

A #Sikh auto driver and his son brutally beaten up by Delhi Police in Mukherji Nagar of Delhi. @AmitShah @narendramodi can anyone answer ?What action has taken against culprits ? An exemplary punishment should be given to responsible. they should be punished publicly pic.twitter.com/qZKh9Mx8Ty

— Ravinder Singh Robin ਰਵਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ راویندرسنگھ روبن (@rsrobin1) June 17, 2019

The incident was also highlighted by the Akali Dal spokesperson, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, who had said that the three policemen, who beat up the Sikh man and his son, were suspended.

We have got three police officials suspended for their inhumane behaviour. Rest of them will also meet the same fate. Thanking all who came to protest with us.
I have been told @AmitShah Ji has himself ensured action in this regard. ?? pic.twitter.com/1VIgxPWVW4

— Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa) June 16, 2019

(In collaboration with SMHoaxslayer)