Panic gripped Jamia Nagar on Monday after a dramatic eight-minute video clip surfaced in local WhatsApp groups, claiming a leopard had been spotted roaming near Ghaffar Manzil. The clip, accompanied by an alarming message “urging parents to keep their children indoors”, spread like wildfire across social media platforms and resident groups, triggering fear and speculation.
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Despite the frenzy, The OT exercised editorial caution and refrained from publishing the video until its authenticity could be independently verified. While many rushed to amplify the unconfirmed footage, the OT prioritised responsible journalism, mindful of the potential chaos such unverified claims could unleash in Jamia Nagar.
After over an hour of confusion in Jamia Nagar, it was finally confirmed that the viral video of a leopard allegedly spotted in Ghaffar Manzil was fake.
The clip had been mischievously edited and circulated with the apparent intent to cause panic among local residents, especially families with children.
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After the video started doing the rounds, The OT immediately contacted the person who had posted it, seeking clarity. When asked if he had personally seen the leopard, he admitted: “No. But the wall in the video looks like the one in Ghaffar Manzil. Anyway, the video was shared by someone else.” Attempts to contact the original source of the video were made repeatedly, but he did not respond to multiple calls. Several others also tried reaching out again, without success.
Eventually, The OT reporter located the individual somewhere in Jamia Nagar. When questioned, he finally admitted that the video was old and had no connection with Ghaffar Manzil or the present day.
The misinformation was eventually debunked when Wakeel Qureshi, a local resident and social media user, publicly confirmed the video was fake. “It is disheartening to see people in Okhla spreading fake videos that stir unnecessary fear and confusion,” he said.
Qureshi posted on his timeline: “This video is actually from Taragarh. It was recorded during a trip. The original video has been misused by some individuals from the Okhla, who shared it on social media and falsely claimed it was from Ghaffar Manzil. Please don’t create an atmosphere of fear by spreading misinformation.”
Soon after, a concerned group member posted a strong advisory, reminding everyone that sharing unverified and fake content on social media is not just irresponsible as it is a punishable offence under the law.
Later, a vigilant resident managed to trace and post the original, unedited version of the viral clip. It clearly showed that the initial eight seconds had been deliberately clipped and manipulated either as a misguided prank or with the intent to sow confusion.
The full video left no room for doubt: There was no lion, no danger, and certainly no Ghaffar Manzil connection. Reacting to the incident, another resident commented sharply: “There are plenty of attention-seekers these days who crave popularity on social media. They don’t think twice before spreading misinformation, even if it causes unnecessary panic in the community.”
Another resident shared his initial reaction, saying he was momentarily shocked when the leopard video first appeared in his WhatsApp. “There’s no forest or wilderness anywhere near Ghaffar Manzil,” he pointed out. “So how could a wild animal like a leopard just wander into such a densely populated area? And if something like that had actually happened, the forest department would’ve been alerted immediately.” He added that he was skeptical from the start and never fully believed the authenticity of the clip.
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Some residents were reminded of a more plausible wildlife sighting during the COVID-19 lockdown, when a neelgai (blue bull) was spotted roaming freely outside the Jamia Millia Islamia campus. That incident had occurred when human activity was at a standstill and urban wildlife momentarily reclaimed public spaces. But this so-called ‘lion sighting,’ they said, felt more like a prank than reality.
A resident Khalid said: “People who are familiar with the locality could tell right away that the video wasn’t from here. In that video, you don’t see any vehicles parked near the wall, whereas cars are usually parked alongside the walls here. Also, our walls are plain there are no columns but the wall in the video clearly has columns. That alone proves it’s not from this area.
“If you search online, you’ll find the original video is likely from Taragarh, a hilly area near Ajmer in Rajasthan. People who didn’t recognise this were misled and panicked. For instance, children didn’t come to the park today they were too scared.
The panic started spreading in the evening. And understandably so if people believe a leopard is loose in the area, they will be afraid. But things have calmed down now after it was cleared that it was a fake video.
“It’s possible that someone spread the video just to go viral or gain attention. That’s not just irresponsible it’s harmful to the community. Action should be taken against this. People were unnecessarily distressed. Even we were concerned for a moment, until we realised the wall in the video had features that don’t match anything in our locality.
“Spreading such falsehoods is extremely dangerous and completely unacceptable. There should be strict action. A wave of panic definitely swept through the colony. People were genuinely scared at first, but once it became clear that the video was fake, things settled down,” said a resident.
NOTE:
The OT strongly urges all residents to act with caution, discernment, and a sense of civic responsibility when encountering and sharing unverified content online. In today’s digital era where misinformation can outrun the truth within seconds it is more important than ever to pause, reflect, and verify the authenticity of any sensational video or message, especially when it relates to public safety.
Do not fall into the trap of viral sensationalism. Time and again, we see individuals, chasing a few likes or momentary online fame, throw digital ethics to the wind circulating misleading content without a second thought. This reckless behaviour doesn’t just spread confusion; it sows fear, triggers panic, and can even put lives at risk.
Let us not become unwitting agents in the hands of those who weaponise social media for personal gain at the expense of public peace and trust. In a time where information is power, responsibility is a duty. Think before you share. Verify before you forward. Stand with truth because a responsible citizen is the first line of defence against the virus of fake news.
It took The OT several hours of careful verification, cross-checking visuals, and speaking with local residents to confirm that the viral video was, in fact, fake. This rigorous process underscores the importance of not jumping to conclusions or spreading unverified content especially when it can spark fear and confusion in the community.
