Delhi Police arrest BSP worker over viral Yamuna fish deaths video, grant bail

Delhi Police have arrested a man in connection with videos showing large numbers of dead fish floating in the Yamuna near Sonia Vihar, alleging that he uploaded the footage to spread misinformation and create mischief.The accused, identified as Surendar Kumar Azad, was arrested after the Irrigation and Flood Control Department of the Delhi government lodged a complaint with the North District Police. He was subsequently granted bail at the police station as the case involves bailable sections.Police registered an FIR at Wazirabad police station under Sections 353 (public mischief), 352 (insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace) and 240 (giving false information) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Officials said further investigation is underway to establish the facts surrounding the incident.According to Delhi Police sources, Surendar uploaded the first video showing the alleged fish deaths in the Yamuna. The video subsequently went viral on social media. Police sources alleged that he uploaded the footage with the intention of creating mischief and spreading false information in a manner that could disturb public peace.Sources further said that Surendar continued posting content about the incident after the first video went viral. He reportedly identifies himself on social media as a worker of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).The police arrested him under bailable sections and subsequently granted him bail. Investigators are continuing to examine the matter.FISH DEATHS TRIGGER POLITICAL ROWThe development comes two days after videos showing a large number of dead fish floating in the Yamuna near Sonia Vihar surfaced on social media, triggering concerns over water pollution and allegations of possible toxic discharges into the river.The exact cause of the fish deaths remains unconfirmed.The incident also triggered a political confrontation, with Delhi Water Minister Parvesh Verma accusing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of dumping dead fish into the river to defame the BJP government and its efforts to clean the Yamuna.The AAP rejected the allegations, questioned the government's claims about cleaning the river and demanded an investigation into possible contamination of the Yamuna's water.Meanwhile, the Delhi Jal Board has also submitted a complaint to the police, seeking an FIR against unidentified individuals allegedly spreading misinformation on social media about chemical discharges into the river.Locals have alleged that effluent discharges from a tannery near the Hathnikund Barrage are responsible for the fish deaths. However, authorities have not yet confirmed the cause.The incident comes less than a month after hundreds of dead fish were found along the Yamuna riverbank in north Delhi's Burari.Experts have previously said that sudden mass deaths of fish could indicate a sharp increase in contaminants or the discharge of toxic substances into the water. They have called for laboratory testing to establish the cause.- Ends