Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Shahjahanpur Councillors’ Alleged Civic-Funds Oath Video Prompts Inquiry
A video online appears to show people taking an unusual oath.
They have been identified as councillors from Shahjahanpur, but this has not been fully verified.
The oath reportedly says money received by the city corporation should be shared equally among 60 councillors.
The people also promise to help one another if someone gets into trouble.
They are shown holding water, which may be Gangajal.
The video includes an offensive remark about people who betray the group.
Political leaders said the video could suggest corruption and send a bad message.
Officials are investigating when and why the video was made before deciding what action to take.
A viral video purportedly shows Shahjahanpur councillors pledging to divide municipal income equally among 60 councillors.
Participants are seen holding water, reportedly Gangajal, while promising mutual support if a member faces trouble.
The video’s authenticity, recording circumstances and identities of those shown remain under examination, although a preliminary inquiry identified them as councillors.
Political leaders alleged the footage raised corruption concerns, while social media users questioned one councillor’s alleged property and vehicle acquisitions.
Municipal Commissioner Saumya Gururani said an inquiry was ordered and further action would depend on its findings.
- Who
- People identified as Shahjahanpur Municipal Corporation councillors, with a preliminary inquiry reportedly identifying those shown as councillors; their identities remain under examination.
- What
- A purported video shows a group taking an oath to divide municipal income equally among 60 councillors and support members facing trouble.
- When
- The video surfaced on Tuesday, August 25 or 26, 2026, while officials said it was reportedly recorded in November 2025; some reports described it as about six months old.
- Where
- At a private premises in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
- Why
- The footage prompted allegations of corruption and public concern, leading the municipal corporation to order an inquiry.
Political Allegations and Public Concern
Verification and Official Review
Meaning of the video
Political Allegations and Public Concern
Congress and Samajwadi Party leaders, as well as some social media users, viewed the purported oath as raising serious corruption concerns and creating a harmful public message.
Verification and Official Review
The footage has not been fully authenticated, and officials are examining its authenticity, recording circumstances and the identities of those shown.
Possible misuse of civic income
Political Allegations and Public Concern
The alleged pledge to share municipal income, together with social media questions about one councillor’s alleged houses and luxury vehicles, prompted demands for scrutiny and action.
Verification and Official Review
The municipal corporation has not announced a finding of wrongdoing and said any further action will depend on the inquiry’s findings.
Timing and identities
Political Allegations and Public Concern
Some reports described the footage as having surfaced on Tuesday and being about six months old.
Verification and Official Review
The municipal commissioner said it was reportedly recorded in November 2025 at a private premises, while other reports said the date and identities could not be independently verified.
- Corporation composition
- Shahjahanpur Municipal Corporation has 60 elected councillors and 10 nominated members.
- Purported pledge
- Income received by the corporation would be distributed equally among all 60 councillors.
- Group commitment
- Participants allegedly pledged to stand together and support any member facing trouble.
- Oath ritual
- Participants were shown holding water, purportedly Gangajal, while repeating an oath led by one person.
- Verification status
- Reports said the video’s authenticity, date and circumstances were not independently verified; officials were examining them.
- Political response
- Congress district president Rajneesh Gupta demanded action, while Samajwadi Party district president Tanveer Khan said the footage could send a wrong message.
- Official response
- Municipal Commissioner Saumya Gururani said an inquiry had been ordered and further action would follow its findings.
- Previous allegations
- The corporation had previously faced allegations involving tender irregularities and suspected wrongdoing in outsourcing recruitments.
Sources
UP councillors take ‘Gangajal oath’ to share civic funds, video under scanner
UP: Video shows Shahjahanpur councillors taking ‘oath to share civic funds’, probe ordered
Shahjahanpur Councillors’ Alleged ‘Income-Sharing’ Oath Video Goes Viral, Congress Demands Probe
UP councillors swear on gangajal to equally divide ‘earnings’ among themselves