‘Citizenship Machine’Ghaziabad Resident Breaks Silence

New Delhi, January 3, 2026: A wave of confusion and outrage was triggered across social media this week following a viral video from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, which purportedly showed a police officer using a “mobile device” to verify a citizen’s nationality. The footage, captured in the Kaushambi area, shows an officer placing a smartphone on a man’s back and declaring that the “machine” identified him as a Bangladeshi. However, as the video amassed millions of views, the woman seen in the clip has stepped forward to reveal the reality behind the controversial exchange.

Roshni Khatun Reveals the “Joke” Behind the Video

The woman featured in the viral footage, identified as Roshni Khatun, has officially broken her silence to clarify that no such “citizenship machine” exists. Speaking to media outlets on January 2, 2026, Roshni explained that the police were conducting a routine document verification drive in their slum cluster. She stated that while the officer’s initial questioning was firm, the “scanning” incident was actually a light-hearted, albeit poorly timed, attempt at humor. According to Roshni, the officer used his phone as a mock scanner to “pressure” her brother-in-law into telling the truth about their origin, though they had already provided their Aadhaar cards.

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The Man from Araria: Proving Identity Amidst Jest

The individual subjected to the “scan” was identified as Mohammad Sadiq, a 76-year-old resident who has lived in Ghaziabad for decades. In the video, Sadiq is heard repeatedly insisting that he is from the Araria district of Bihar, not Bangladesh. Roshni clarified that her family is indeed Indian and that they have all necessary government identification to prove their roots. She remarked that while the video looks intimidating, the family did not feel harassed at the time, though they were surprised to see the clip being used online to spread rumors about “new citizenship technology.”

Official Police Inquiry and Warning

Despite the family’s attempt to de-escalate the situation, the Ghaziabad Police have taken the matter seriously. An inquiry was ordered by DCP (Trans-Hindon) Nimish Patil into the conduct of the Kaushambi Station House Officer (SHO), Ajay Kumar. It was noted by senior officials that using a mobile phone to “test” nationality is not a scientific or authorized procedure. A strict warning was issued to the officer involved, with authorities emphasizing that “area domination exercises” must be conducted with professionalism and should not involve gimmicks that can be misinterpreted as profiling or intimidation.

Navigating Digital Narratives in 2026

The “Ghaziabad Machine” saga serves as a textbook example of how a 26-second clip can be stripped of its context to fuel a national debate. While political leaders and human rights activists expressed concerns over “technological profiling,” the actual participants viewed the event through a different lens. As 2026 begins, the incident highlights the critical need for viewers to wait for official clarifications before believing viral claims. For Roshni and her family, the truth is simple: there was no machine, only a smartphone used in a moment of misplaced wit during a routine security check.