Archive · 30 Aug 2026
Shahjahanpur BJP Councillors Deny Claims Over Viral Corruption Video
A video from Shahjahanpur appeared to show councillors promising to share corruption money.
BJP councillors said the video was old and had been changed to make them look bad.
They said the meeting was actually about development work and sharing government funds fairly among wards.
The video was reportedly recorded at a hotel in November 2025.
It later spread on social media.
The BJP asked about 10 councillors to explain what happened.
Seven councillors had sent replies by Saturday night.
The party is checking whether the video was edited.
Opposition parties criticised the BJP, and one nominated councillor resigned during the controversy.
Shahjahanpur BJP councillors said a viral corruption-oath video is about a year old and edited.
They said the meeting concerned ward development projects and equal distribution of State Finance Commission funds.
The BJP city unit issued notices to about 10 councillors; seven submitted replies by Saturday night.
The party is examining the footage and may recommend legal action if manipulation is confirmed.
Opposition parties criticised the BJP, while councillor Poonam Mehrotra submitted her resignation amid the controversy.
- Who
- BJP councillors of the Shahjahanpur Municipal Corporation, the BJP city unit, opposition parties, and nominated councillor Poonam Mehrotra.
- What
- A disputed viral video allegedly showed councillors taking an oath to distribute corruption proceeds equally; the councillors said it was edited and misrepresented their meeting.
- When
- The video reportedly circulated on social media on Tuesday; officials said it was recorded in November 2025, and the report was dated August 30.
- Where
- Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh; the councillors said the meeting was held at a hotel.
- Why
- The councillors said they were discussing development work and equal distribution of State Finance Commission funds, while alleging the edited video was circulated to damage their reputation.
Opposition and Viral-Video Interpretation
BJP Councillors' Response
Meaning of the video
Opposition and Viral-Video Interpretation
The video was presented as showing councillors taking an oath to ensure alleged corruption earnings were distributed equally.
BJP Councillors' Response
The councillors said the footage was edited and that they were discussing the fair distribution of municipal development funds.
Political responsibility
Opposition and Viral-Video Interpretation
The Samajwadi Party and Congress criticised the BJP over the video and its alleged contents.
BJP Councillors' Response
BJP representatives said the footage was circulated to damage the reputation of BJP-affiliated councillors and noted that councillors from different parties attended the meeting.
Next steps
Opposition and Viral-Video Interpretation
The controversy prompted notices from the BJP metropolitan unit and the mayor, as well as calls for the matter to be examined.
BJP Councillors' Response
The BJP said it would consider legal action against whoever was responsible if the video was found to have been manipulated.
- Notices issued
- The BJP city unit issued notices to about 10 councillors and sought replies within three days.
- Replies received
- Seven councillors had submitted replies by Saturday night.
- Video date
- Municipal Commissioner Gurbani said the video was recorded in November 2025.
- Councillors not served
- Three people shown in the video, who are husbands of other councillors, did not receive notices.
- Stated meeting purpose
- Councillors said the meeting reviewed East Mark development work and discussed State Finance Commission funds.
- Possible action
- The BJP said it could refer the matter to its core committee and pursue legal action if manipulation is established.
- Administrative response
- District Magistrate Dharmendra Pratap Singh said no formal complaint had been received, but an investigation would follow if one was filed.
