Delhi Police warn against deepfakes, STF formed for paper leak cases
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Delhi Police on Saturday, 25 July issued a public advisory urging citizens not to share unverified social media content, warning specifically against the circulation of deepfake and AI-generated videos amid ongoing student protests at Jantar Mantar. Separately, the force confirmed the formation of a Special Task Force (STF) under the Crime Branch to address exam paper leak cases, as part of the Centre's stated commitment to curbing examination irregularities.
Key Developments at the Press Conference
DCP Central Rohit Rajbir Singh addressed reporters, highlighting the large-scale use of social media — particularly Instagram — during student demonstrations held under the banner of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). He cautioned that the rapid spread of unverified posts poses a direct threat to public order. 'It is not necessary that every post, video or photo put up on social media is genuine,' Singh said, urging citizens to fact-check information before sharing it.
Singh stated that Delhi Police have been continuously monitoring social media platforms for fake news, edited clips, and AI-generated content. 'We are continuously gathering information about fake news, AI or deepfake videos, edited clips and misleading content on social media platforms so that people are able to differentiate between fake and genuine posts,' he added.
Specific Misinformation Cases Cited
The DCP cited two specific instances of alleged misinformation. The first involved social media posts falsely claiming that a woman had died due to police action during the 20 July protests. Delhi Police denied these claims, asserting that no fatalities occurred. The second involved a video posted by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal, which allegedly suggested the Central government was preparing a crackdown on protesters at Jantar Mantar. Police clarified that no such action was planned and appealed to the public not to trust unverified claims.
Singh also flagged deepfake videos circulating online, including one falsely attributed to climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and another depicting a fabricated statement by Lt. General Rajeev Puri, DGMO, claiming the Army was being deployed in Delhi in response to the protests.
Pakistan-Based Accounts Identified
Police revealed that investigations have traced a portion of the fake content to Pakistan-based social media accounts. More than 400 such accounts have been identified and blocked for sharing AI-generated content, deepfake videos, and misleading material related to the protests. Singh noted that similar Pakistan-based handles were found actively spreading disinformation during Operation Sindoor last year, with posts using edited statements of senior officials and manipulated visuals.
STF for Paper Leak Cases
On the examination integrity front, Singh confirmed that a Special Task Force has been constituted at the Delhi Police Crime Branch to handle cases related to exam irregularities. The STF will be led by a DCP-rank official and will function under the supervision of the Special CP Crime. Orders for the STF's formation were reportedly issued on Friday, 24 July.
Delhi Police also acknowledged the role of peaceful protesters and volunteers at Jantar Mantar, thanking them for assisting the force in maintaining law and order. As disinformation tactics grow more sophisticated, the force's dual focus — on both digital misinformation and examination fraud — signals a broader law-enforcement pivot toward technology-driven threats.