Old images from Telangana falsely shared as cash seized from BJP Bengal leader’s residence

West Bengal elections are underway and supporters of BJP and TMC are not only promoting the parties in election rallies but also on social media, often through misinformation.

A photograph of Rs 2,000 notes stacked in a corner while the police address the media has been shared with the claim that the money was recovered from a BJP leader’s residence in West Bengal.

बंगाल में BJP के नेता के घर से बरामद रुपया! pic.twitter.com/PnQHAcymM9

— Vulgar_news (@NewsVulgar) April 15, 2021

Several Twitter users have shared the image.

बंगाल में BJP के नेता के घर से बरामद रुपया। pic.twitter.com/Tgqr4uNPpg

— सुशील मिश्रा🚩 (@sushilmishra01) April 15, 2021

From the Facebook accounts NS Mehra and ‘Kisan Andolan’ the claim drew over 800 and 1,200 shares respectively.

It is in fact widespread on Facebook.

Fact-check

Alt News performed a Google reverse image search and found a November 2, 2019 report by Telangana Today. As per the report, Telangana police arrested four members of a family and some others while seizing 350 bundles of fake Rs 2000 currency notes from Khammam. Shaik Madar was identified as the main accused.

In the report, Commissioner of Police (CP) Tafseer Iqubal said that the racket was being operated with Sathupalli town as its centre.

The incident was also reported by Financial Express and ANI.

Telangana: Khammam police today arrested five persons for cheating public in guise of exchanging Rs. 2,000 denomination currency notes and offering 20% commission.
320 bundles of Rs. 2000 denomination fake notes (around Rs 6.4 crores) seized. pic.twitter.com/ptulXGi1Qb

— ANI (@ANI) November 2, 2019

The same image was shared earlier this month when DMK chief MK Stalin’s son-in-law Sabareesan’s residence was raided by Income Tax officials. The IT department had seized ₹1.36 lakh in the raid which was returned to the family after documents accounting for the money were produced. The image was also shared in January 2020 with the claim that fake Rs 2,000 notes were seized from RSS supporter Ketan Dave in Gujarat.