Fake claim of suspects in Bangladeshi youth leader’s murder crossing India border debunked

A viral social media post claiming that two suspected shooters involved in the murder of Bangladeshi youth leader Sharif Usman Hadi were caught on camera while crossing the India–Bangladesh border has been found to be false.

The misleading claim was circulated along with a photograph of two young men carrying luggage, shared by an X (formerly Twitter) account named “Kashmir Digital”.

The post alleged that the image showed the suspects fleeing Bangladesh after assassinating Hadi, who was at the forefront of the anti-reservation protests in the country. The same claim was also published as a news report on the “Kashmir Digital” website, whose headline asserted that the shooters were filmed crossing into India.

However, a closer examination revealed that the website is Pakistan-based, raising further questions about the credibility of the report. A reverse image search conducted on Google showed that the photograph had been shared earlier by several users in a completely different context.

Further verification led to an August 7, 2024 report published by The Indian Express, which carried a strikingly similar image. The original photograph depicted Bangladeshi students studying at a university in Meghalaya, seen crossing an India–Bangladesh checkpoint as part of routine travel.

Fact-checkers found that the viral image circulating on social media had been digitally altered. The faces of the individuals in the original photograph were manipulated using digital technology to falsely portray them as suspects in the murder case. This manipulation was aimed at creating the impression that the accused had escaped Bangladesh and entered India.

Meanwhile, Bangladeshi authorities have intensified the investigation into Sharif Usman Hadi’s killing. Officials have reportedly identified a key suspect and issued a nationwide lookout notice. There is, however, no official confirmation of any suspects fleeing across the border.

The media Fact Check team has categorically stated that the viral claim is false and that an old photograph was digitally tampered with to spread misinformation. The incident underscores the growing misuse of doctored images in sensitive cross-border and political issues, and the need for readers to verify information before sharing it online.

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