Earlier this month, Hindustan Times and The Indian Express quoted officials to report that many locals in Sambhal district had fled their homes allegedly due to fear of arrest or retribution, months after violent protests. Leading the pack was Amar Ujala, which made similar claims in three reports – the first published in December last year.

But when Newslaundry visited the areas mentioned in these reports, all the homes were unlocked and their inhabitants surprised.

“This is our house. When was this published?” asked Shahrukh, a resident of Sambhal’s Kotgarvi area, about a picture of his house in the HT report published on February 16. The headline read: “Sambhal violence: Over 300 houses remain locked since Nov, police probing reasons”.

“Sometimes when we go out, we lock the house. But we live here. Why would we leave? What is there to fear that would force us to leave our home locked behind?” said Shahrukh, who is a final-year law student and lives with his two sisters.