Fact Check: Self-balancing e-scooters acquired by Surat police are Made In India
Indian Police Service (IPS), an All India Service, is crucial for maintaining law and order, ensuring national security;
E-bikes
Indian Police Service (IPS), an All India Service, is crucial for maintaining law and order, ensuring national security, and providing leadership to police forces at both state and central levels, contributing to a stable and secure India. The IPS plays a vital role in upholding the rule of law and ensuring public safety. IPS officers are responsible for preventing and investigating crimes, apprehending offenders, and ensuring justice. They are instrumental in maintaining public order, managing crowds, and preventing disturbances, especially during elections and other sensitive events. IPS officers are involved in intelligence gathering, counter-terrorism efforts, and protecting critical infrastructure and borders. They provide crucial support during natural disasters and other emergencies, assisting in relief and rehabilitation efforts.
A video of Surat police riding self-balancing e-scooters has been shared on social media platforms claiming that the Gujarat government imported the e-scooters from China in order to promote Make In India initiative. The video shows the Surat Police and also Gujarat Minister of State for Home, Harsh Sanghavi, riding the freshly procured self-riding e-scooters. Some users shared this video with the caption in Hindi “मेक इन इण्डिया को बढ़ावा देते हुए गुजरात सरकार ने पुलिस के लिए चाइना से ई बाइक खरीदा है।“ When translated, it claimed ‘Promoting Make in India, the Gujarat government has purchased e-bikes from China for the police.’
Some users shared the video with the caption ‘Surat Police inducted self-balancing e-bikes for patrolling Imported from China?’
Here is the archive link of the claim.
Fact Check:
The claim is False. The self-riding e-scooters used in the video are manufactured by an Indian company.
Firstly, after searching about the e-scooters, we found few news articles stating that ‘in a novel initiative step towards enhancing law enforcement efficiency and sustainability, ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India), under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative ‘Project Green’, handed over 25 self-balancing e-bikes to the Surat City and District Police. The handover ceremony was held in the presence of Hon’ble Minister of State for Home Harshbhai Sanghavi. These self-balancing e-bikes are set to revolutionise patrolling, particularly in areas where four-wheelers face accessibility challenges, such as narrow streets, busy marketplaces and event venues. The bikes will enhance the police force’s mobility, allowing for quicker response times and enhanced crime prevention.’
When we extracted the keyframes from the video and searched using reverse image search, we found some social media posts stating that the e-scooters seen in the video are manufactured by an Indian company named Freego.
An X user stated : Freego bikes. Indian product. Surat police got it as donation from Arcellor Mittal/Nippon Steel as part of their CSR.
When we searched for more information about e-sccoters, we could see the name ‘Freego’ on them.
On the website of Freego, we could see that the company is a Maharashtra-based company.
On their about us page, there is more information about the e-bikes, which are stated as India's first self-balancing, zero-emission personal transportation vehicle, designed and developed by Freego Bikes Pvt Ltd. With its innovative gyroscope technology and dynamic stabilization, Freego offers a safe, efficient, and eco-friendly solution for convenient mobility over long distances.
When searched more about the company – Freego Bikes Private limited, we found that FREEGO BIKES PRIVATE LIMITED (CIN: U34300MH2018PTC308158) is a private company incorporated on Dec 18, 2018. It is classified as non-government company and is registered at Registrar of Companies, Mumbai. Its authorized share capital is Rs. 100000.00 and its paid-up capital is Rs. 100000.00.
Hence, the claim that the self-balancing e-scooters gifted to Surat police were manufactured in China is False. The e-bikes were manufactured by an Indian company named Freego, based in Maharashtra, India and were donated Arcellor Mittal/ Nippon Steel as part of their CSR.