A court in Jammu and Kashmir has directed the police to launch an investigate against a person who sought help from people on social media claiming his family was surviving only on water for many days and they don’t have any food.
Moved by the plight of the Shabir Ahmad Shah, a driver, who uploaded a video on Facebook claiming he was starving, people across the Kashmir Valley deposited Rs 27 lakh in his account within 24 hours and a many rushed to his rented room with food items.
However, a local NGO operating in the area rebutted the claims made in the video saying Shah was not without any food and is receiving help from them for sustenance.
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“I have perused the complaint and given my thoughtful consideration over the contents and submissions made by the complainant. In order to ascertain truthfulness of the case or otherwise, I deem it proper to get the complaint investigated through SHO concerned under section 202 CrPc,” Chief Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar said in his order on a complaint filed by a lawyer residing in the area.
In his complaint, lawyer Mohammad Amin says Shah uploaded the video on Facebook on May 13 through another person who claimed to be working for a news agency.
Shah hails from north Kashmir district of Kupwara and is presently living in Hawal area of old city Srinagar in a rented accommodation provided by a local mosque. In the video, Shah had stated that he and his family had been surviving on water only for several days. The video went viral generating an emotional response with people donating money to help him out.
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However, a local NGO, Aash Charitable Trust, operating in the area said claim made by Shah was false as he had already been provided him food items. The NGO said they had been providing monetary assistance to the family as well.
Following the NGO’s claim lawyer Amin filed a complaint in the Court saying that Shah drives a van for livelihood and also owns some property at his native village. Shah has also previously taken Rs 75,000 from the concerned MLA and Rs 50,000 from his in-laws, the complaint says.
The complaint says the accused had received Rs 27 lakh in his bank account in just 24 hours. The complainant also alleged that Shah and the person who shot the video are liable to be punished as they have willfully and intentionally concealed the real facts and managed to dupe general public.
The issue has also generated debate on social media with some urging Shah’s account should be freezed and others saying the issue shouldn’t be blown up as it will force people not to donate to those poor who appeal through social media for charity. Some are asking people to be vigilant and advising them not to fall in the trap.
