Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday, 25 July 2026, revealed that an AI-generated deepfake video — fabricated by manipulating footage of his media interaction outside Parliament — is being circulated on social media platforms to spread misinformation. Goyal confirmed he has lodged a formal police complaint, with an FIR (No. 123/26) registered at Chanakyapuri Police Station at 4:35 am on the same day.

What the Deepfake Shows

The manipulated video purportedly shows Goyal making threatening remarks against students participating in nationwide protests over the NEET examination paper leak. The original footage, according to the minister, was taken from his press briefing outside Parliament earlier that week — a session in which he defended the government's position on the NEET controversy.

Goyal stated in his post on social media platform X that the video was 'created by maliciously manipulating with the help of AI footage of my interaction with the media outside Parliament' and was being spread 'with the intent to spread misinformation.'

FIR Filed, Strict Action Warned

In his post, Goyal stated: 'I have lodged a police complaint regarding this matter, and an FIR (No. 123/26) was registered at the Chanakyapuri Police Station today, July 25, 2026, at 4:35 A.M. Strict legal action will be taken against anyone involved in creating, circulating, or knowingly promoting this fake video.'

The minister made clear that the legal net would extend not just to creators but also to those who knowingly shared or amplified the fabricated content.

Goyal's Warning on AI Misuse

Condemning what he called 'irresponsible and malicious misuse' of artificial intelligence, Goyal urged citizens to rely only on official and verified sources for information. He expressed confidence that India's 'aware and tech-savvy citizens — especially our youth — will not fall prey to such fake and AI-generated misinformation.'

Notably, this incident follows a pattern of deepfake videos targeting prominent political figures in India, raising renewed concerns about the misuse of generative AI tools ahead of politically sensitive periods.

Background: NEET Row and Parliament Disruptions

The deepfake emerged in the charged atmosphere surrounding the NEET paper leak controversy, which has triggered student protests across the country. During the original Parliament media briefing that was subsequently manipulated, Goyal said he had intended to make a statement inside the House but was prevented from doing so due to repeated disruptions by Opposition members.

He accused the Opposition of 'disrespecting the Chair' and said the disruptions had made it impossible to present the government's position from the floor of Parliament. The deepfake appears designed to exploit this tension by putting fabricated threatening language in his mouth directed at protesting students.

What Happens Next

With an FIR now on record, the case will be investigated by the Delhi Police. Authorities are expected to trace the origin of the video, identify those who created and first circulated it, and examine the digital trail of its spread. Legal experts note that charges could be framed under the Information Technology Act and relevant provisions of criminal law covering forgery and defamation.

The case is likely to intensify the national conversation around regulatory frameworks for AI-generated content in India, a debate that has gained urgency as deepfake technology becomes increasingly accessible.