Recent viral news speculating on the demise of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim has sparked widespread attention on social media platforms. Reports circulated claiming Ibrahim had been rushed to a Karachi hospital after being poisoned, leading to his alleged demise. However, thorough fact-checking has debunked these claims, highlighting the lack of confirmation regarding Ibrahim's health or any such incident.
The misinformation gained traction with screenshots purportedly from the account of Pakistan's caretaker Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq Kakar, announcing Dawood Ibrahim's death. Nevertheless, fact-checking efforts revealed that the circulated screenshots did not match Mr. Kakar's official account. Additionally, independent fact-checking sources, such as DFRAC, identified discrepancies in the username presented in the viral screenshot, pointing out an extra character compared to Mr. Kakar's verified account. Moreover, Mr. Kakar had made a post on a different platform on December 16, invalidating the claim associated with the alleged screenshot.
Dawood Ibrahim, known for his alleged involvement in the planning of the 1993 Mumbai bombings, has been a fugitive figure, having left India following the tragic incidents. The bombings on March 12, 1993, shook Mumbai, claiming 257 lives, injuring over 700 individuals, and causing extensive property damage amounting to approximately ₹27 crore. The case was subsequently handled by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) at the request of the Maharashtra government.
In June 2017, several individuals involved in the case, including Mustafa Dossa and Abu Salem, were convicted. Dawood Ibrahim, a wanted terrorist, has been purportedly linked to masterminding these attacks.
Despite the persistent rumors regarding Ibrahim's health and supposed demise, credible fact-checking sources emphasize the lack of substantiated evidence or official statements confirming any such event. The incident serves as a cautionary reminder to verify information before amplifying unverified news, especially concerning sensitive and significant matters.
