Fact Check: EVMs found in BJP leader’s car destroyed in Karnataka

By
Amruth Venkata
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evms-destroyed-karnataka

A video is going viral on social media where a group of people allegedly destroyed EMVs and overturned a car at Masabinal village in Karnataka.

Claim:

As per the video shared claims, the EVMs were discovered in the car of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) politician in Karnataka, following which people assaulted the car and destroyed the machines.

Who Claimed?

Hitendra Pitadiya, the Gujarat Congress Chairman for the Scheduled Cast department, and a few social media users (Dabang Yogi & Surbhi) shared the news on Twitter.

*Video links are provided in the claimed person’s name*

Actual Incident:

Villagers at Masabinal, Vijayapura district destroyed EVMs and VVPAT machines on receiving fake news and attacked the car of a Section Officer. 23 people were arrested by the local police in this incident.

Fact-Checking by Alfacheck:

After the news spread viral on the internet and social media. We did keyword research (EMVs destroyed in Karnataka). This led us to several news reports by NDTV, Deccan Chronicle, The Hindu, and more. As per the news reports,  it is claimed that the vehicle was actually carrying reserve EVMs by a revenue sector officer.

Police report:

Vijayapura SP Ananda Kumar tweeted, The incident took place at Masibinal, Bagewadi Constituency. A group of people obstructed the officials on poll duty carrying reserve EVMs, VVPATs & damaged them along with the vehicle. FIR has been registered and further legal action is being taken.

Car Registration:

According to the footage circulated on the internet, the car damaged by the locals is registered with the serial number KA28Z2305. Following a check with the visible registered number, it is observed that the number is registered with the email [email protected] in Bijapur. However, the information about the person registered is not clearly mentioned.

evm destroyed in karnataka car registered number
Image: Screenshot from the claimed video

Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka report:

We have thoroughly examined the Press Note from the Office of Chief Electoral Office, Karnataka. In the report, it is clearly mentioned that the reserve EVMs and VVPATs were carried by the revenue sector officer in the car from Basavana Bagewadi to Masabinal.

The villagers of Masabinal village mistakenly believe that the EVMs and VVPATs are taken away by them and attacked the vehicle. Also, the people attacked the officer and destroyed all the EVMs and VVPATs in it.

chief-electorate-karnataka-press-note-may-10
Image: Press Note released by Office of Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka on May 10th

Conclusion: Half True

After verifying the details of the incident, we found it to be half true. The EVMs destroyed by Villagers at Masabinal were true but they are not carried in a BJP leader’s vehicle. It is the revenue sector officer’s car that’s carrying the reserved EVMs and VVPTs.

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