A video depicting police officers retrieving a body from a refrigerator has been widely shared with the claim that a Hindu man, Sanjay Patidar, married a Muslim woman named Gulnaz and murdered her at a rental property in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh. However, this claim is entirely false and misleading. Investigations have confirmed that the deceased was identified as Pratibha Prajapati, and the accused, Sanjay Patidar, was from the same community as the victim.
Sharing the video on X (Formerly Twitter) propagandist account @NazneenAkhtar23 wrote, “This incident is from Dewas in Madhya Pradesh. Hindu Sanjay Patidar and Muslim girl Gulnaz had eloped and got married. They were living in a rented room. The room was closed for 4 days. When people broke the door and checked everything, they found pieces of Gulnaz’s body kept in the fridge.”
मामला मध्यप्रदेश के देवास की घटना है ये
— Adv.Nazneen Akhtar (@NazneenAkhtar23) January 24, 2025
हिन्दू #संजय पाटीदार और मुस्लिम लड़की गुलनाज भागकर शादी की थी किराये का रूम लेकर रहते थे 4 दिन से रूम बंद था लोगों ने दरवाजा तोड़कर सब चेक किया तो गुलनाज की लाश के टुकड़े फ्रिज में रखे मिले,,
अब बताओ su/वरों जिहादी कौन है,,, pic.twitter.com/PyWwFUt9ln
Another propaganda account @T_A_backup also shared the video and wrote, “Sanjay, Gulnaz Bano and the Fridge. Gulnaz converted to hinduism for marrying Sanjay, threatening her parents with police case if they pursue her and moved in with Sanjay. Gulnaz’s rotting body was later found in a FRIDGE with Sanjay nowhere to be found.”
Sanjay, Gulnaz Bano and the Fridge.
— Tanvir’s Backup account. (@T_A_backup) January 26, 2025
Gulnaz converted to hinduism for marrying Sanjay, threatening her parents with police case if they pursue her and moved in with Sanjay.
Gulnaz’s rotting body was later found in a FRIDGE with Sanjay nowhere to be found.#BhagwaLoveTrap #BLT pic.twitter.com/q8ienRESr9
Several other users, influencers and propagandists have also disseminated the video and made similar claims. Their posts can be found here, @virjust18, @INDStoryS, @taj_india007, @IftakharKh80034.
The truth behind the claims from Dewas, Fact Check
As soon as the posts containing the sensitive video and claims came to our notice. Subsequently, we conducted research and analysis of the incident. We found that the victim and accused were from the same community. Not related to interfaith relationships and hate crimes.
To verify the claims made by propagandists. We performed relevant keyword searches and found multiple reports regarding the incident. According to reports (1, 2, 3, 4), the deceased was identified as Pratibha Prajapati, and the accused, Sanjay Patidar, belonged to the same community as the victim. The incident has no connection to religion or a Muslim woman.
Therefore, it is evident from verified sources that the accused and victim belonged to the same community. Not related to interfaith relationships and hate crimes.
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— D-Intent Data (@dintentdata) January 25, 2025
ANALYSIS: Misleading
FACT: A video showing policemen recovering a body from a refrigerator has been circulated with the claim that a Hindu man, Sanjay Patidar, married a Muslim woman named Gulnaz and killed her at a rental property in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/CQjjdHIzLt
Intent
Propagandists are circulating sensitive videos with misleading claims to set their narrative based on religion.
Conclusion
Claim– A Hindu man killed his Muslim wife in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh.
Fact– The deceased Pratibha Prajapati and accused Sanjay Patidar belonged to the same community.
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