Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has filed a complaint with police over an AI-generated deepfake video that allegedly doctored his remarks outside parliament, claiming the manipulated video was created to spread misinformation. He warned that those responsible for deepfake videos will face strict legal action.
In a post on X on Saturday, Goyal said the video had been “maliciously manipulated” using artificial intelligence. “My statements to the media outside Congress were maliciously altered using AI and a deepfake video was created and disseminated to spread disinformation,” he wrote.
The minister said an FIR (number 123/26) was registered at Chanakyapuri police station on July 25 at 4.35 am, adding that action would be taken against everyone involved in making, distributing and amplifying the video.
“Strict legal action will be taken against all those involved in creating, disseminating and amplifying this fake video,” Goyal said.
He also urged the public to rely only on verified sources for information, adding: “The irresponsible misuse of artificial intelligence to mislead the public cannot and will not be tolerated.”
Several social media links containing the manipulated video have since been removed, government officials said. The doctored video allegedly showed Goyal making threatening remarks to students participating in the nationwide protests over NEET exam questions.
On Friday night, the Press Information Bureau’s fact-checking division announced that a Pakistani propaganda account is disseminating a false AI-generated deepfake depicting a minister making inflammatory comments about protesting students.
The video surfaced during a demonstration organized by the Cockroach Janata Party at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar where students demanded reforms in the education system over alleged cheating in medical entrance and other competitive exams.
Authorities have repeatedly warned users not to rely on unverified videos or social media posts as misinformation related to the protests continues to spread online.
The incident has further raised concerns about AI-generated deepfakes being used to spread misinformation during politically sensitive events, as an FIR has now been registered and takedown operations are underway.
