From dinner table conversations to WhatsApp university, there is no dearth of conspiracy theories. There exist the innocuous ones like Ricky Ponting used a spring bat in 2003 cricket World Cup to incredulous claims of vimanas in Vedic texts and existence of secret societies with a wider reach.
There are YouTubers who have made careers by spitting out such theories. All’s fair until the push comes to shove and you have to back your claims in court.
A city police inspector who was recently convicted of child rape floated a conspiracy theory in court. That his victim, a minor who identified him in an identity parade, was coerced due to the influence of senior cop in the rank of an IGP (Inspector General of Police).
A similar theory was floated in another case when the suspect was government chief engineer. He alleged that the case was foisted on him as he did not give contracts to firms favoured by a minister.
The court rubbished these theories and sentenced both to 20 years rigorous imprisonment.
Brushing aside their statements as hogwash, another cop said that there were many ways a senior officer can make life hard for an Inspector – from a simple transfer to tipping off vigilance. Maybe, it was a conspiracy theory but one that began in the WhatsApp university by the suspects’ families.
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