In a series of erroneous claims, Indian media outlets reported the death of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim in Karachi, triggering widespread debate on social media. Despite the initial confidence in these reports, the claims were later proven false, leading to the removal of the news from several websites.
The reports suggested that Dawood Ibrahim, the mastermind behind the 1993 Mumbai blasts, was undergoing treatment in a Karachi hospital, with some asserting that he had passed away. The Times of India, among others, claimed that Dawood Ibrahim had been poisoned, resulting in his transfer to a private hospital in Karachi due to deteriorating health.
Subsequently, ABP and Vion News also asserted that Dawood Ibrahim had died, though the Indian media later conceded that the information could not be confirmed. ABP Live suggested a possible time of death between 8 and 9 pm, emphasizing that the death had not been officially verified.
The news of Dawood Ibrahim’s alleged ill health had circulated on Indian media since the previous night. However, by Monday morning, these reports were being systematically removed from various news websites.
India has long considered Dawood Ibrahim one of the most wanted terrorists, alleging that he has been residing in Pakistan for years. Pakistan, on the other hand, has consistently denied providing asylum to him.
Earlier this year, in January, Dawood Ibrahim’s nephew reportedly informed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) that Dawood was living in Karachi and had entered into a second marriage.
Dawood Ibrahim is notorious for leading an international terrorist network known as “D Company,” which was responsible for the 1993 Mumbai blasts. The coordinated attacks resulted in the deaths of over 250 people and left thousands injured.
India has designated Dawood Ibrahim as a “global terrorist,” with a bounty of $25 million placed on him by both India and the United Nations. The confusion and subsequent retraction of the news regarding Dawood Ibrahim’s death underscore the challenges and consequences of misinformation in the age of social media.
