A controversial video showing municipal councillors in Uttar Pradesh’s Shahjahanpur taking an oath to share illegal income and commissions equally among themselves has triggered a political uproar, with the footage going viral on social media.
The Congress has demanded an investigation into the matter, alleging widespread corruption and financial irregularities within the municipal corporation.
Municipal Commissioner Soumya Guru Rani, meanwhile, has said the video appears to be old and assured that the matter would be examined.
The video purportedly shows a group of Shahjahanpur Municipal Corporation councillors holding water from the Ganga in their hands while making what appears to be a collective pledge.
According to the claims surrounding the footage, the councillors vow to divide among themselves any illegal income or commission allegedly generated through municipal activities.
The purported oath also focusses on maintaining unity within the group. The councillors are allegedly heard saying that they would stand together if any member faced trouble and would not turn against one another.
The video has since sparked questions over the nature of the alleged arrangement and whether the claims made in connection with the footage can be substantiated.
“We swear by the holy Ganga water that whatever illegal income and commission is generated through the municipal corporation will be equally distributed among us all. And in case any of us, or anyone from our group, lands in any kind of trouble, all of us will stand together. If anyone turns their back, they will be severely dealt with,” the councillors could be purportedly heard saying.
The footage has drawn a sharp reaction from the Congress, which has sought a probe into the allegations.
Congress district president Rajneesh Gupta accused the municipal corporation of being mired in corruption and alleged that the video points towards a larger system of financial malpractice.
Gupta questioned the scale of the alleged irregularities and sought clarity on who was benefiting from them.
He also raised questions over whether the alleged illegal collections were being shared among councillors and who, if anyone, was receiving a larger share.
Municipal Commissioner Soumya Guru Rani indicated that the matter would be discussed with the District Magistrate and that an investigation would be initiated to establish the facts surrounding the footage.
The administration’s proposed inquiry is now expected to determine when and under what circumstances the video was recorded, identify those seen in it and establish whether the allegations accompanying the footage have any factual basis.
Until the investigation establishes the facts, the claims circulating with the video remain allegations.
– Ends
Published On:
Aug 26, 2026 19:40 IST
