Video of Shahjahanpur Municipal Corporation councillors sparks corruption controversy

MEERUT: A purported video showing Shahjahanpur municipal corporation councillors swearing on Gangajal and Quran to divide illegally gotten revenue from the civic body “equally and fairly” among themselves has triggered both a political and social media storm.

The video has several councillors holding holy water in their hands and solemnly promising each other -- sometimes even swearing on their mothers -- as they discuss “batwara” (division) and “allocation of shares”. Municipal commissioner Saumya Gurjar said she has “taken cognisance of the video” and ordered the constitution of a team to investigate the matter.

Of the 60 councillors in the civic body, 41 belong to the BJP, while the remaining are from other parties or are independents. Dhirendra Singh Chauhan, BJP councillor from ward 24 and one of those seen in the clip, denied any transgression. He told TOI, “The vow had nothing to do with revenues. Councillors had gathered at a birthday party in 2025 and the video was recorded after 40 councillors filed a complaint against a company working with the municipal corporation. Everyone actually vowed that no one would issue any document in favour of the company in future. Words have been doctored, and the actual context of the video changed before someone leaked it online on Tuesday.”

Opposition parties were quick to condemn what they called was a “clear show of corruption”. INC UP, the Congress party’s X handle, tweeted: “When looting under political patronage is so assured, it’s pointless to expect public development. The public is watching!” Samajwadi Party, too, posted on X: “Councillors in the Shahjahanpur Municipal Corporation swear to share proceeds of corruption and support each other in the event of a scandal... “

TOI has not independently verified the authenticity of the video. The corporation has not yet issued an official statement on the contents of the video.