Piyush Goyal files police complaint over AI deepfake,…

Digital Minister Piyush Goyal has filed a formal police complaint regarding a maliciously doctored deepfake video that misrepresented his comments made outside Parliament. The incident, which occurred in July 2026, prompted the registration of an FIR at the Chanakyapuri Police Station as officials work to curb the spread of this misinformation.

What happened

The manipulated video utilized artificial intelligence to alter remarks made by Minister Goyal, falsely portraying him as making threatening statements against students involved in nationwide protests regarding the NEET examination issue. According to the Press Information Bureau’s fact-check unit, the deepfake was actively circulated by accounts identified as Pakistani propaganda. The video surfaced during a period of heightened tension, as students demonstrated at Jantar Mantar to demand reforms to the education system and highlight alleged irregularities in competitive examinations.

Upon discovering the content, Minister Goyal addressed the incident on X, confirming that the clip was maliciously doctored to mislead the public. An FIR (No. 123/26) was registered at 4:35 am on July 25, 2026. The Minister has emphasized that strict legal action will be pursued against any individuals involved in the creation, circulation, or amplification of the falsified footage. In response to the breach, government authorities have initiated takedown efforts, resulting in the removal of several social media links containing the manipulated content. The incident underscores the escalating risks associated with the irresponsible misuse of AI to influence public opinion during politically sensitive events, with authorities continuing to urge the public to verify information through official sources before sharing.