This special report, featuring Sonal Mehrotra Kapoor, investigates serious allegations of air pollution data manipulation in Delhi’s Anand Vihar, a known pollution hotspot. The core of the report questions, ‘Can we trust the pollution numbers in Delhi?’. The investigation reveals a significant discrepancy between readings from an independent pollution monitor, which showed levels nearing 500, and the official government app, which reported an AQI of around 300. The report highlights the use of water sprinklers and anti-smog guns in close proximity to official monitoring stations, a practice that an on-site environmentalist confirms temporarily lowers pollution readings. This raises concerns about the accuracy of the data provided to the public, especially as reports indicate the Supreme Court has also started to question the reliability of pollution data from monitoring agencies.