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WikiLeaks List Naming BJP Leaders...

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WikiLeaks List Naming BJP Leaders With Black Money In UK Banks Is Fake

BOOM found that the list is fake and different versions of the claim have been circulating since 2011

By - Nidhi Jacob

Published - 11 July 2024 11:29 AM IST

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WikiLeaks List Naming BJP Leaders With Black Money In UK Banks Is Fake

CLAIMA viral list claims that WikiLeaks has exposed 24 Indian political leaders, primarily from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as holders of black money in secret banks in the UK. The list, which allegedly includes amounts in dollars and rupees, accuses these leaders of looting India. The claim suggests that this revelation is connected to former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s recent political defeat.

FACT CHECKBOOM determined this list is fake and found that various versions of the claim have circulated since 2011. A thorough search of WikiLeaks’ website and social media accounts revealed no such list or mention of Indian politicians holding black money in UK or Swiss banks. WikiLeaks had previously clarified in 2011 that similar lists are fabricated, highlighting that the claim never appeared on their platforms. BOOM also debunked a similar claim in October 2019, involving Indian politicians allegedly holding black money in Swiss banks.

A fake list, claiming WikiLeaks has identified 24 Indian political leaders from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including Prime Minister Narendra Modi as holders of black money in secret banks in the UK is viral on social media. It lists the amounts in dollars and rupees and claims that these leaders are looting the country.

This is a fake claim that has been circulating and rehashed since 2011.

According to the viral claim, after the recent defeat of former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, "the black money of Modi and his ministers is exposed. WikiLeaks has released the first list of Indians who have black money in secret banks of Britain."

Archive link.

The posts list names of BJP leaders holding positions in the current government, including current Union Home Minister Amit Shah, former Member of Rajya Sabha Smriti Irani, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and others, alleging that they have black money deposited in secret banks in Britain.

Old claim resurfaces

In previous versions of the claim, the list included names such as Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, former Chief Minister of Karnataka B.S. Yeddyurappa, and Reliance Industries director Mukesh Ambani, along with other BJP leaders.

According to the claim, during these years, the alleged "black money" was said to have been deposited in Swiss banks. BOOM debunked this claim in October 2019.

BOOM had also debunked a similar claim in September 2019 of a fake document that had been created in 2011 under the letterhead of Swiss Bank Corporation.

It alleged that Indian politicians such as Rajiv Gandhi, Andimuthu Raja, Harshad Mehta, Sharad Pawar, P. Chidambaram, Suresh Kalmadi, Muthuvel Karunanidhi, and others had their bank accounts in Swiss Bank Corporation blacklisted.

Fact-check

BOOM looked at the website and X account of WikiLeaks and found no such list mentioning Indian politicians as black money holders in Swiss banks or banks in the UK. We also conducted an online search for such a list and did not find any credible news sources or any mention of it by WikiLeaks.

The latest report on WikiLeaks was dated August 5, 2021.

When a similar claim went viral in 2011, WikiLeaks issued a clarification on Twitter (now X), stating, "WARNING: WikiLeaks and Indian black money: The following is a FAKE image and never appeared on WikiLeaks.”

WARNING: WikiLeaks and Indian black money: The following is a FAKE image and never appeared on WikiLeaks http://t.co/Dwbpc3P
— WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) August 5, 2011

They also issued a clarification on their Facebook page in 2011 refuting a similar false claim.

Tags

WikiLeaks Smriti Irani Rajnath Singh Amit Shah Julian Assange black money Narendra Modi BJP

Claim : A fake claim stating WikiLeaks has identified 24 Indian political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi as holders of black money in secret banks in Great Britain

Claimed By : Facebook posts

Fact Check : False

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