PIB fact-check debunks fake claims on Rijiju, Meghwal London visit
Synopsis
A viral claim that two Union Ministers flew to London with judges for a badminton event has been officially debunked — the photographs were actually taken at a New Delhi stadium in November 2025. PIB Fact Check traced the images to the All India Judges' Badminton Championship at Thyagaraj Stadium, using the minister's own earlier post as evidence.
Key Takeaways
PIB Fact Check on 10 June declared as fake the claim that Kiren Rijiju and Arjun Ram Meghwal were visiting London with judges.
The viral photographs were not taken in London; they originated from the All India Judges' Badminton Championship 2025 at Thyagaraj Stadium, New Delhi in November 2025 .
PIB Fact Check cited a 29 November 2025 post by Rijiju himself to debunk the misrepresentation.
The post confirmed attendance of Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant and Justice Vikram Nath at the New Delhi event.
Citizens were urged to report suspicious government-related content for verification and rely only on official sources.
The Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check unit on Wednesday, 10 June categorically dismissed as false viral social media claims alleging that Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju and Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal had travelled to London with judges and participated in a badminton event there. The government's official fact-checking arm stated that neither minister was on any such visit.
What the Viral Claims Said
Multiple posts circulating on social media asserted that Rijiju and Meghwal were in London, accompanied by judges, and had taken part in a badminton event. The posts were accompanied by photographs that appeared to lend credibility to the claims, prompting widespread sharing before official intervention.
PIB's Clarification
Taking to X, PIB Fact Check addressed the viral posts directly. 'This claim is fake. Minister Kiren Rijiju and Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal are not visiting London,' the unit stated. It further clarified that the photographs being circulated were being misrepresented — the images were not taken in London at all.
Where the Photos Actually Came From
According to PIB Fact Check, the viral images originated from the All India Judges' Badminton Championship held at Thyagaraj Stadium in New Delhi in November 2025. To substantiate this, the unit cited an earlier post by Rijiju dated 29 November 2025, in which the minister had shared the same photographs from the championship.
In that post, Rijiju had written: 'Had a wonderful time participating in the All India Judges' Badminton Championship 2025 at Thyagaraj Stadium, New Delhi. Sharing the court with Hon'ble CJI, Justice Surya Kant ji; Justice Vikram Nath ji; MoS Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal ji and many esteemed judges was both memorable and energising.'
Advisory to Citizens
PIB Fact Check urged the public to refrain from sharing misleading or unverified content and to rely exclusively on official sources for authentic government updates. The unit also encouraged citizens to report suspicious photos, videos, or messages related to the Central government for independent verification.
This is among a series of recent government fact-check interventions targeting misinformation that misrepresents official events and figures. As social media misinformation around judicial and ministerial activities continues to proliferate, the PIB's proactive clarifications have become an increasingly prominent part of the government's communications strategy.
Point of View
Repurposed to manufacture a politically charged narrative about ministers and judges consorting abroad. What makes it notable is that PIB's rebuttal was anchored not in denial alone but in the minister's own dated post, a verification method that is harder to dispute. The broader pattern, however, deserves scrutiny: misinformation targeting judicial-executive proximity is a recurring feature of India's information environment, and official fact-checks, while necessary, reach a fraction of the audience that the original viral post does. The asymmetry between spread and correction remains the real problem.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the fake claim about Kiren Rijiju and Arjun Ram Meghwal?
The false claim alleged that Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and Union Minister of State Arjun Ram Meghwal had travelled to London with judges and participated in a badminton event there. PIB Fact Check confirmed on 10 June that neither minister was on any visit to London.
Where were the viral photographs actually taken?
The photographs were taken at the All India Judges' Badminton Championship 2025 held at Thyagaraj Stadium in New Delhi in November 2025 , not in London as the viral posts claimed.
How did PIB Fact Check verify its rebuttal?
PIB Fact Check cited a post by Kiren Rijiju dated 29 November 2025 , in which the minister had himself shared the photographs from the New Delhi championship, establishing the correct context and location of the images.
Who else attended the badminton event in New Delhi?
According to Rijiju's own post, the New Delhi championship was attended by Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant , Justice Vikram Nath , and several other esteemed judges, along with Minister of State Arjun Ram Meghwal .
What should citizens do if they encounter similar fake claims?
PIB Fact Check has urged citizens to avoid sharing unverified content and to report suspicious photos, videos, or messages related to the Central government to its official channels for verification. Relying on official government sources is recommended for authentic updates.
