Social media platforms were abuzz with unverified reports claiming the demise of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim in Karachi. The viral message suggested that Ibrahim was rushed to the hospital after being poisoned, accompanied by screenshots purportedly from the account of Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq Kakar, stating Dawood’s passing. However, fact-checkers swiftly refuted these claims, emphasizing the lack of confirmation regarding Dawood’s status.
The circulated message mourned Dawood’s alleged death, referring to him as the “Messiah of humanity” and expressing condolences, but independent fact-checking websites pointed out discrepancies in the viral screenshot. The username in the screenshot did not match the official account of Mr. Kakar, dispelling the authenticity of the message.
Reports clarified that the username shown in the screenshot contained an extra character, deviating from Mr. Kakar’s verified account, which had last posted on a different date, December 16.
Dawood Ibrahim, born in 1955, was a resident of the Dongri slum area in Mumbai before fleeing India following the 1993 Mumbai blasts. The tragic incident, which claimed 257 lives, injured over 700 individuals, and caused extensive property damage valued at approximately ₹27 crore, led to a significant investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) upon the Maharashtra government’s request.
The CBI’s inquiry resulted in the conviction of several accused individuals, including Mustafa Dossa and Abu Salem, on June 16, 2017. Dawood Ibrahim, a wanted terrorist, was allegedly implicated in planning the attacks, but his whereabouts and status remain uncertain.
The recent wave of false reports surrounding Dawood’s alleged demise underscores the rampant spread of misinformation on social media platforms, urging caution and the need for fact-checking before believing and circulating unverified news.
Sources By Agencies