Fake claim attributed to Chief Justice Chandrachud is going viral on social media; Fact Check

A message is being shared on WhatsApp, which depicts the image of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud with a text attributed to him, urging people to go out in the streets, and protest against the government to protect their rights.

In this message, Chief Justice Chandrachud’s image was shared with a text header that reads, “Indian democracy Supreme Court Zindabad”. Below it, the following text caption was added:

“We are trying our best to save the Constitution of India, the democracy of India. But your cooperation is also very important for this, all the people should unite and come out on the streets and ask the government for their rights, this dictatorial government will scare people, and threaten, but you don’t have to be afraid, keep courage and ask the government to account, I am with you.”

Digiteye India received a WhatsApp request to fact check the content of the post attributed to the CJI, the top judge of the country who holds the highest office of the Supreme Court of India.

FACT CHECK

The Digiteye India team found the quote to be fake on several counts. No CJI will ever issue such an appeal. The grammar and syntax errors reveal that they cannot be from a CJI.  “It is a fake forward. No CJI will ever do such a thing, much less a luminary like CJI Chandrachud. Steps should be and will be taken for such serious mischief in the name of Hon. Chief Justice of India,” reiterated Tushar Mehta, Solicitor General of India. Soon, the offices of the CJI and the Supreme Court on Monday released a press statement stating that top judge of the Supreme Court has never issued any such statement, and that the messages circulating online are fake. See the copy of the statement here:

The Supreme Court has refuted the veracity of the message, stating, “It has come to the notice of the Supreme Court of India that a social media post (invoking the public to protest against authorities) using a file photograph and falsely quoting the Chief Justice India is being circulated. The post is fake, ill-intended and mischievous. No such post has been issued by the Chief Justice of India nor has he authorised any such post. Appropriate action is being taken in this regard with the law enforcement authorities.”

Claim: Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud asked people to unite and fight for their rights against the authorities.

Conclusion: No, Justice Chandrachud never issued such post or nor he authorised any such post.

Rating: Totally False —