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Misleading

The Reel says

Ashok Lavasa resigned from the EC due to political persecution?

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

The Reel accurately reports the sequence of events: Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa dissented against clean chits given to PM Narendra Modi in 2019, after which his family faced Income Tax inquiries, and he resigned before becoming Chief Election Commissioner. However, it is misleading because it cuts out the fact that Lavasa resigned to take up a prestigious appointment as Vice-President of the Asian Development Bank, framing his departure solely as a flight from persecution.

The Reel we checked▶

The Reel we checked

@tanmayorates

Why Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa Resigned?

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The trick: Picks only some facts

It shows the facts that fit and leaves out those that don't (known as cherry-picking).

“अब अशोक लवासा के बारे में बता दूं कि वह चीफ इलेक्शन कमिश्नर बनने वाले थे, लेकिन उन्होंने वह बनने के पहले ही अपने पद से resign दे दिया। पता है क्यों? क्योंकि उनका सरेआम witch hunt होने लग गया था।”

The Reel leaves out that Ashok Lavasa resigned to take up an appointment as Vice-President of the Asian Development Bank, falsely framing his departure solely as a reaction to tax inquiries.

How this trick works and how to answer it →

What we checked

Ashok Lavasa dissented when the ECI gave clean chits to Narendra Modi and Amit Shah during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.“Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa, who dissented with the poll panel‘s recent clean chits to PM Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah on alleged model code violations”ThePrint
Former Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa resigned before becoming the Chief Election Commissioner.No reliable source found for this yet.
The Income Tax Department issued tax notices to and questioned Ashok Lavasa's wife, son, and sister.No reliable source found for this yet.
Narendra Modi asked voters in 2019 if their first vote could be dedicated to the martyrs of the Pulwama attack.No reliable source found for this yet.

What the Reel doesn't tell you

What each side says

Ashok LavasaLavasa and his family maintained that all taxes were paid and that inquiries against them were roving attempts to malign their reputation. Scroll
Income Tax DepartmentThe Income Tax Department stated that family members were investigated for alleged tax evasion and discrepancies in tax returns. New Indian Express
Narendra ModiNarendra Modi appealed to first-time voters to dedicate their votes to national security events and developmental measures. Times of India

How it plays you

It wants you to think: “The government uses tax agencies to force out independent election officials.”

While Lavasa dissented on model code complaints and his family faced IT inquiries, reports document that he resigned to accept a high-level international post at the ADB.

Short version

⚠️ MISLEADING 👉 The Reel accurately reports the sequence of events: Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa dissented against clean chits given to PM Narendra Modi in 2019, after which his family faced Income Tax inquiries, and he resigned before becoming Chief Election Commissioner. 🎭 Trick: Picks only some facts 🔎 Full check: send this Reel to @checkthis.chat

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