Fact-Check:Image from China falsely linked with deceased CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury. Here’s the truth

On social media, an image of a group of doctors bowing down in front of a dead body has gone viral. While sharing the image users claim “What a remarkable gesture by doctors of AIIMS Delhi. Honoring organ donar of Sitaram Yechury with a last salute acknowledges the immense contribution by giving others a second chance at life. Gautam Haldhar had grabbed and shared this picture”

Fact-check

During the investigation, DFRAC found that this image is from Tibet. We found multiple media reports regarding this image. According to CGTN published on 30 Sep 2016 “Zhao Ju, a 41-year-old doctor from east China’s Anhui Province, volunteered to work in Shannan, Tibet Autonomous Region with a group of other doctors two months ago”

Furthermore, we also found a full article from Khaosod published in 1 Oct 2016 stating “Zhao Zhu volunteered to work in the Tibet Autonomous Region with other medical groups for about 2 months. But while volunteering, he started to feel dizzy, had a headache, suffered a stroke, and died. His family respected his last wish to donate his organs, kidneys, liver, and corneas. His father said, ‘My son is a doctor and always helps others to recover and always does his best to do good for others’.

Conclusion

It is evident from the DFRAC’s fact check that the viral image bowing down in front of the dead body is from China, and belongs to a doctor named Zhao Ju, a 41-year-old who volunteered to work in Shannan, Tibet Autonomous Region with a group of other doctors, not from Delhi AIIMS and dates back to 2016. Therefore, the claim of social media users is misleading