AI-generated fake video from Bhai Jagtap's X account triggers Maharashtra Cyber FIR
Synopsis
A fake AI-generated video depicting an IPS officer resigning and accusing the government — already debunked by Delhi Police on 28 July — resurfaced on Congress leader Bhai Jagtap's X account, prompting Maharashtra Cyber to file an FIR against unknown persons. No individual has been named, keeping the question of accountability wide open.
Key Takeaways
Maharashtra Cyber registered an FIR against unknown persons on 1 August 2026 over an AI-generated video shared from Congress leader Bhai Jagtap's X account.
The video falsely depicted an IPS officer resigning and making allegations against the government; visuals, voice, and dialogue were allegedly AI-generated.
Delhi Police had already fact-checked and declared the video completely fake on 28 July 2026 , before it resurfaced on Jagtap's handle.
No individual, including Bhai Jagtap , has been named in the FIR at this stage; the case is against an unknown accused .
Maharashtra Cyber has launched a formal investigation; further details are awaited.
Maharashtra Cyber has registered an FIR against unidentified persons in connection with an allegedly inflammatory AI-generated video that was shared from the X account of Congress leader Bhai Jagtap, officials confirmed on Saturday, 1 August 2026. No individual has been named in the case at this stage, with the complaint filed against an unknown accused.
What the Video Claimed
The video surfaced on 31 July 2026, when a complainant spotted a post on the X handle 'Bhaijagtap1' at around 2 pm. The post carried the caption: 'Delhi Police makes serious allegations against the government.'
In the video, a man portrayed as an IPS officer is seen purportedly announcing his resignation while levelling serious allegations against the government. The individual in the clip is heard saying, 'I am submitting my resignation from the Indian Police Service with immediate effect. The government was expecting me to come before the press and tell blatant lies about the students who were demanding their rights on the streets.'
The person further states, 'These students are not terrorists; they are the future of our country. I chose the police job to stand by the truth, not to sell lies. I cannot be a part of this act of the government. From today, I am not with the government, but with these students.'
Why the Video Is Disputed
The complainant alleged that the video is entirely fabricated and was created using Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. According to the complaint, the visuals, voice, and dialogue attributed to a Delhi Police officer were allegedly artificially generated and manipulated.
Notably, Delhi Police had already fact-checked the video on 28 July 2026 — three days before it resurfaced on Jagtap's account — and publicly declared it to be completely fake. The force also issued a clarification through its official social media platform, a copy of which has been attached to the complaint submitted to Maharashtra Cyber.
Despite this prior fact-check, the video reportedly continued to circulate without verification after being shared from the 'Bhaijagtap1' handle.
Allegations in the FIR
The complaint contends that the content was shared without authenticating its source and was capable of misleading the public. It further alleges that the objective behind circulating the video was to spread confusion, propagate false information against the government, and foment dissatisfaction and unrest among citizens.
While the video appeared on Bhai Jagtap's X account, officials have clarified that no individual — including Jagtap — has been named in the FIR at this stage. The case remains registered against an unknown accused, leaving open the question of who actually uploaded or shared the content.
Investigation Under Way
Maharashtra Cyber has initiated a formal investigation into the matter. This comes amid a broader national pattern of AI-generated deepfake content being weaponised for political misinformation, with law enforcement agencies across states increasingly confronting such cases. Further details are awaited as the probe progresses.
Point of View
A distinction that will define the case's trajectory. More broadly, this episode illustrates a growing enforcement gap: Delhi Police debunked the video three days before it went viral again, yet the fact-check failed to contain the spread. India's IT Act and emerging deepfake provisions have yet to be tested at scale, and cases like this will pressure courts and regulators to clarify liability when a public figure's verified account is the vector, regardless of who pressed the button.
NationPress
1 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Maharashtra Cyber FIR about?
Maharashtra Cyber has registered an FIR against unknown persons over an AI-generated video that was shared from Congress leader Bhai Jagtap's X account on 31 July 2026. The video falsely depicted an IPS officer resigning and making allegations against the government, and had already been declared fake by Delhi Police.
Has Bhai Jagtap been named in the FIR?
No. Although the video appeared on Jagtap's X handle 'Bhaijagtap1', no individual — including Jagtap — has been named in the FIR at this stage. The case has been registered against an unknown accused, and the investigation is ongoing.
When did Delhi Police first flag the video as fake?
Delhi Police fact-checked the video on 28 July 2026 and declared it completely fake. The force also issued a public clarification through its official social media account, a copy of which was attached to the complaint filed with Maharashtra Cyber.
What does the complaint allege was the motive behind sharing the video?
According to the complaint, the video was circulated to spread confusion, propagate false information against the government, and create dissatisfaction and unrest among the public. The complainant alleged the content was shared without verifying its authenticity.
What is Maharashtra Cyber and what happens next?
Maharashtra Cyber is the state's specialised cybercrime investigation unit. It has initiated a formal probe into the matter, and further details are awaited as the investigation progresses.
