On August 22, 2024, India Today reported that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had informed the Supreme Court about a coverup in the Kolkata medical intern rape and murder case. The report indicated that the seminar hall where the crime occurred had been compromised and that the CBI had described the situation as a deliberate coverup. The news was shared by India Today reporter Akshita Nandagopal on her social media platform X.
#BREAKING: CBI informs Supreme Court that seminar hall where Abhaya was raped and murdered was COMPROMISED… CBI states categorically that there was a coverup
— Akshita Nandagopal (@Akshita_N) August 22, 2024
In response to this report, TMC Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale dismissed the allegations as fake news, accusing India Today of sensationalism. Gokhale claimed that the Supreme Court had not observed any such coverup and accused the media outlet of fabricating the story for dramatic effect. He asserted on social media, “Fake news for sensationalism. I’ve been watching every minute of the proceedings & the court has NOT observed anything of this sort (no matter what CBI says). Been silent for the last 9 days but it’s time to call out the brazen fake news being run by this channel.”
Fake news for sensationalism.
I’ve been watching every minute of the proceedings & the court has NOT observed anything of this sort (no matter what CBI says).
Been silent for the last 9 days but it’s time to call out the brazen fake news being run by this channel. https://t.co/cOzwOYucHE
— Saket Gokhale MP (@SaketGokhale) August 22, 2024
Gokhale also posted an image claiming to be a fact-check card issued by India Today. This card purportedly debunked a claim that Kolkata Police had vandalised evidence related to the case, stating, “CBI in its official report has stated all investigating documents and scene of crime were videographed by Kolkata Police. No evidence has been tampered.” However, it later emerged that the fact-check card was not issued by India Today. The image had been created using a counterfeit template that mimicked the official design of India Today’s Anti-Fake News War Room.
Amazing that India Today reporters don’t read what their own news outlet puts out. pic.twitter.com/MH2WOwdZXj
— Saket Gokhale MP (@SaketGokhale) August 22, 2024
In response to the misuse of their branding, India Today issued a clarification stating, “India Today Fact Check has not issued these postcards. Our old template and logo have been misused to create such posts. You can find our fact-check stories on our official websites and social media accounts.”
Akshita Nandagopal, in a reply to Gokhale, stated, “Hi @SaketGokhale, I choose to largely ignore your obviously motivated posts, but this is FAKE— it’s not India Today’s property… amazing that you don’t FACT CHECK before tweeting. If only TMC MPs spent as much time ensuring justice for Abhaya as much as they’re spending on social media.”
Beware: Fake fact-check postcards making the rounds.
India Today Fact Check has not issued these postcards. Our old template and logo have been misused to create such posts. You can find our fact-check stories on our official websites and social media accounts. #AFWAFactCheck… pic.twitter.com/dGvnWotBLU
— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) August 19, 2024
Despite the exposure of the fake fact-check card and the subsequent clarification from India Today, Saket Gokhale has neither responded to the issue nor issued an apology for spreading misinformation.
This incident highlights a troubling pattern where certain individuals and groups, particularly those with leftist or anti-national affiliations, engage in the spread of false information. When confronted, these parties often fail to issue corrections or apologies, reflecting a broader issue within the political discourse regarding accountability and accuracy.
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