State authorities forged tribal signatures for Adani's bauxite mine?

checkthis · automated fact-check · How we check · Reel by @madhumitalks

Re-checked 22 Oct 2026: first published as Partly true, now Checks out.

The post accurately highlights reporting and official audit findings regarding land consent issues. Al Jazeera reported that over 50 villagers in Koraput filed sworn affidavits alleging their signatures or thumb impressions were forged for an Adani bauxite mine's Gram Sabha clearances. According to The Hindu, despite complaints lodged months ago, police have not yet registered an FIR against the company and local officials. Furthermore, a CAG audit found 136 consent violations on tribal land, and reports confirm an Adani power project in Assam claimed an evicted site had no habitations.

4 claims checked
2 sources
Checked 22 Oct 2026
Main source: Al Jazeera

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The Reel we checked

@madhumitalks

When Gautam Adani wants a sacred bauxite mountain in Odisha, the system manufactures consent by forging the thumbprints of paralyzed men, dead villagers, and…

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⚖️ Where the case stands

🗣️ Alleged

“more than 50 people from several villages in Koraput have issued sworn affidavits declaring that they did not attend the village council meetings and that their signatures or thumb impressions were forged.” Al Jazeera, 2026-10-16

🚩 Red flags

“the police have not yet registered an FIR against Kalinga Alumina Limited, the panchayat, and district officials” The Hindu, 2026-06-01

❓ Still open

No court has ruled on the allegations above in any source we found.

What we checked

An Al Jazeera investigation found forged signatures and thumbprints of dead and paralyzed people on Gram Sabha clearance documents for Adani's bauxite mine in Koraput, Odisha.“Two other persons from the first Gurubari’s family are also listed as signatories – her bedridden husband, who has been paralysed since falling from a tree three months before the council meeting and her nephew. Both…”Al Jazeera

A contract worker confessed on record that middlemen paid him 3,000 rupees to collect signatures under the false pretext of routine land settlement for Adani's clearance.““I was paid 3,000 rupees to collect documents and sign land settlement documents from each village. That’s what I did. I only submitted the signed sheet to the [revenue] office,” he said. “I did not know they would use…”Al Jazeera

A CAG audit report found 136 consent violations on tribal land, including 73 cases where no Gram Sabha meeting took place.“A 2024 report by India’s Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), an independent constitutional authority, on land management in tribal-dominated areas revealed 136 consent violations in mining and other projects. In 73…”Al Jazeera

An Adani power project in Assam submitted documentation to the ministry asserting no one lived on land where 1,000 families were evicted.“In its application for environmental clearance, the company told the ministry that there were no habitations at the project site and, therefore, no rehabilitation or resettlement claims were involved.”The Wire

What we couldn't check

We couldn't find the full original video, so we can't say what was said just before or after this clip.

What each side says

Adani GroupThe Adani Group stated that it has always conducted its operations in total compliance with national laws. The Guardian

Short version

✅ CHECKS OUT 👉 The post accurately highlights reporting and official audit findings regarding land consent issues. 👉 Al Jazeera reported that over 50 villagers in Koraput filed sworn affidavits alleging their signatures or thumb impressions were forged for an Adani bauxite mine's Gram Sabha clearances. 🚩 Police have not registered an FIR despite villagers lodging a detailed complaint months ago (The Hindu) 📰 Sources: Al Jazeera, The Wire 🔎 Full check: send this Reel to @checkthis.chat