Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday shared a video on social media claiming that a girl was sealed inside her house in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The video purportedly shows a house with its entrance sealed, and Yadav alleged that the girl's family had complained to authorities but faced inaction. However, Prayagraj district officials have strongly refuted the claim, terming it 'misleading and baseless'.
Video Goes Viral
The video, which quickly went viral, shows a residential building with a door sealed with bricks and cement. Yadav captioned it: 'A girl has been sealed inside her house in Prayagraj. The family has been running from pillar to post but no one is listening. Will the administration wake up?' The post sparked outrage and concern among netizens.
Official Response
Prayagraj District Magistrate (DM) Sanjay Kumar Khatri dismissed the allegations, stating that the building was sealed due to a property dispute and not because of any person being inside. 'The structure was sealed by the local municipal corporation after receiving complaints about illegal construction. No person was present inside at the time of sealing. The claim that a girl is trapped is completely false and an attempt to create unrest,' Khatri said.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shailesh Kumar Pandey also clarified that police had verified the location and found no evidence of any individual being sealed inside. 'We have checked with neighbors and local officials. The building has been vacant for months. The video is being circulated with malicious intent,' Pandey added.
Political Reactions
The incident has triggered a political slugfest. BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi accused Yadav of spreading fake news for political gains. 'Akhilesh Yadav should apologize for misleading the public. The administration has clarified the matter, but he continues to peddle lies,' Tripathi said. Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party leaders defended Yadav, claiming that the video was genuine and that the administration was covering up the issue.
Legal Action
Prayagraj police have registered a case against unidentified persons for circulating the video and creating a law and order situation. Authorities have warned against sharing unverified content that could incite public sentiment. The district administration has also urged citizens to report any suspicious activity to the police helpline.
The controversy comes amid heightened political tensions in Uttar Pradesh ahead of upcoming local body elections. Both ruling and opposition parties have been accused of using social media to spread misinformation.
