Mumbai Cyber Police files case over fake Bandra demolition posts on X
Synopsis
Mumbai's Western Cyber Police Station registered a case over fabricated posts about the Bandra East demolition drive on X — and that is just one of two cyber FIRs filed within 24 hours. The second targets an AI-generated video of PM Modi allegedly designed to damage his image. Both cases signal an aggressive posture by Mumbai Police toward online misinformation around politically sensitive events.
Key Takeaways
Mumbai's Western Cyber Police Station registered a criminal case on 23 May over allegedly fake posts about the Bandra East demolition drive circulated on X .
The case was registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against the account operator and the person who allegedly recorded and shared the video.
Police allege the content was shared with intent to disturb public peace and trigger communal tension.
On 22 May , a separate FIR was filed against Nafis Alam for allegedly creating and circulating an AI-generated video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with abusive language.
Mumbai Police issued a public advisory urging citizens to verify information before sharing and to report inflammatory content to authorities.
Mumbai Cyber Police on Saturday, 23 May registered a criminal case against individuals accused of spreading fabricated and misleading information on social media about the government's recent demolition drive in Bandra East. The Western Cyber Police Station initiated the action after a post circulating on social media platform X on 22 May was flagged for allegedly containing baseless claims about the eviction and demolition operation carried out by authorities in the area.
What the Case Is About
According to cyber police officials, the disputed post allegedly contained fabricated claims related to the Bandra East demolition drive. Investigators believe the content was deliberately circulated through electronic media with the intent to disturb public peace, create fear among citizens, and trigger tension between communities.
A case has been registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against two individuals — the person operating the social media account and the person who allegedly recorded and circulated the related video. Further investigation is currently underway.
Police Advisory and Warning
Mumbai Police issued a public advisory urging citizens to use social media responsibly and refrain from forwarding unverified content. Officials warned that circulating false or misleading information through social media or any other communication platform is a punishable offence under the law.
Authorities further cautioned that any attempt to spread fear, create communal tension, or hurt religious sentiments through online content could lead to serious legal consequences. The public was advised to verify information through official sources and to report suspicious or inflammatory content to law enforcement agencies.
A Second Cyber Case: AI-Manipulated Video of PM Modi
This comes amid a separate but related development: on 22 May, Mumbai Police had already registered an FIR in another cyber case involving an artificial intelligence (AI)-generated video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The manipulated video was allegedly circulated online with the intent to damage the Prime Minister's public image.
The accused in that matter, identified as Nafis Alam, allegedly created and uploaded the edited video, which reportedly contained abusive language. Investigation into that case is also ongoing.
Broader Context
The twin cases reflect a pattern of cyber enforcement action in Mumbai coinciding with sensitive ground-level events such as demolition drives. Notably, the Bandra East demolition operation had already drawn public attention, making it a flashpoint for online misinformation. Critics and civil liberties groups have in the past raised concerns about the broad application of public-order provisions to social media speech — a tension that is likely to resurface as both cases proceed.
Point of View
And the use of BNS public-order provisions against social media posts will draw scrutiny from free-speech advocates. The AI-video case against Nafis Alam raises a separate but equally important question: as generative AI lowers the cost of political deepfakes, law enforcement's ability to respond quickly will be tested. What is missing from both cases so far is transparency — neither the specific posts nor the precise BNS sections have been publicly disclosed, which makes independent assessment of proportionality impossible.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mumbai Cyber Police case about the Bandra demolition?
Mumbai's Western Cyber Police Station registered a criminal case on 23 May against individuals who allegedly spread fabricated and misleading information on social media platform X about the government's demolition drive in Bandra East. The post was flagged on 22 May for allegedly aiming to disturb public peace and trigger communal tension.
Under which law has the case been registered?
The case has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Two individuals are named — the operator of the social media account and the person who allegedly recorded and circulated the related video.
What is the separate FIR involving an AI video of PM Modi?
On 22 May, Mumbai Police filed an FIR against Nafis Alam, who allegedly created and uploaded an AI-generated, manipulated video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi containing abusive language, with the intent to damage the Prime Minister's public image. Investigation is ongoing.
What advisory has Mumbai Police issued to the public?
Mumbai Police have urged citizens to use social media responsibly, verify information through official sources before sharing, and immediately report suspicious or inflammatory content to law enforcement. Authorities warned that spreading false information online is a punishable offence under Indian law.
Why is the Bandra East demolition drive significant?
The demolition drive in Bandra East had already drawn public attention before the social media posts surfaced, making it a flashpoint for online misinformation. Police allege that false content about the operation was deliberately circulated to create fear and communal tension in Mumbai.
