ISLAMABAD: An Indian news channel, News9 Live, has apologized for wrongfully releasing a Muslim Kerala doctor’s picture as a suspect in the November 10 Delhi blast.

Although several news outlets carried the picture, only one channel aired an apology.

The blast in the Indian capital killed at least eight people, and 19 others were injured when flames ripped through several vehicles, according to AFP.

An Indian fact-checking website, Alt News, reported that various Indian media outlets misidentified the accused, Dr Mohammad Arif, and shared the image of his namesake, who had no connection with the incident.

Dr Arif Mohammed, whose photograph was used by news channels, is a resident of Kerala.

Journalist Mohammed Zubair, who is co-founder of the fact-checking website, in a social media post, stated: “Several channels including Aaj Tak, Times Now, ABP & Republic shared a photo they claimed was of the arrested suspect in the Delhi blasts.”

“The picture, however, was actually of Dr. Mohammed Arif from Kerala, who is completely unrelated to the incident,” he added.

News9 Live broadcast a “corrigendum”, a “clarification on wrong image used for Dr Arif Mohammed” on its YouTube channel.

The statement published long with the YouTube video stated: “We sincerely apologise for an inadvertent error in our earlier broadcast. The image used in connection with the terror-suspect Dr Arif Mohammed detained from Kanpur was incorrect.”

“The photo shown was of Dr Arif Mohammed A — a respected cardiologist from Kerala — who has no connection whatsoever with the ongoing Delhi terror investigation. We regret the mistake and deeply apologise for any distress caused,” it said.

A November 14, 2023, Instagram post on KMCT Group of Institutions, Kerala, carries a profile of Dr Mohammed Arif.

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Indian media apologizes for portraying Muslim doctor as suspect in Delhi blast