The death of a 21-year-old under mysterious circumstances on 6 December in Karnataka has led to violent protests in many parts of the state. Even though the cause of death is yet to be ascertained, fake news articles and social media messages – claiming torture and murder – have made the mysterious death into a communal issue.

The putrefied body of Paresh Kamalakar Mesta was found in a lake in Honnavar Taluk. As the body was highly decomposed, the post-mortem and viscera tests have been delayed. But before these test results were out, the fake news spread like a wild fire.