A viral video purportedly showing several councillors of the Shahjahanpur Municipal Corporation taking an oath to “honestly” share alleged bribe proceeds has prompted a formal inquiry by the civic body. In the footage, a councillor holds a vessel of sacred Gangajal water while leading others in pledging that bribe money would be shared equally among all 60 councillors and that members facing legal trouble would be supported.
The Municipal Commissioner stated that the footage appears to date to November 2025 during a previous commissioner’s tenure, but confirmed that an inquiry has been ordered regardless, with further action depending on its findings. The full authenticity of the video and the identities of the councillors shown have not been independently confirmed.
The episode has become a flashpoint for public frustration over local government corruption in Uttar Pradesh and adds to a string of similar bribery scandals involving municipal officials reported elsewhere in India this year.