FIRs Filed Against Spread of Fake Manikarnika Ghat Redevelopment Images

In Varanasi, authorities have filed eight separate cases against individuals accused of spreading AI-generated images and misleading information about the redevelopment of Manikarnika Ghat, one of the city’s most sacred cremation sites along the Ganges River.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Gaurav Bansal announced on Saturday that the cases have been registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), India’s recently enacted criminal code that replaced the colonial-era Indian Penal Code. The charges target eight individuals and several accounts on X (formerly Twitter) for allegedly circulating fabricated content about the ongoing beautification project.

According to police officials, the social media posts in question contained manipulated images related to Hindu deities that were deliberately designed to inflame religious tensions and provoke public outrage. Authorities claim these digitally altered images misrepresented the nature of the renovation work being conducted at the ghat.

“These posts were created with clear intent to hurt religious sentiments, spread misinformation, and disturb social harmony,” a police spokesperson said. The controversial content quickly gained traction online, generating numerous reposts and inflammatory comments that further heightened tensions in the religiously significant city.

The complaint that initiated the investigation was filed at Chowk police station by a Tamil Nadu resident identified only as Mano, who stated that his company has been contracted to enhance the cremation facilities and improve the aesthetic appeal of Manikarnika Ghat since November 15, 2025. The renovation project is part of larger efforts to modernize infrastructure around Varanasi’s riverside religious sites while preserving their cultural significance.

According to the complaint, on the night of January 16, users on X began sharing AI-generated images that grossly distorted the nature of the renovation work. “The posts presented completely fabricated scenarios that misled devotees and created unnecessary resentment in society,” the police statement noted.

The situation quickly escalated when protests erupted at Manikarnika Ghat earlier in the week, with demonstrators alleging that religious idols were being demolished as part of the renovation. Authorities deployed additional police personnel to secure the area and prevent further unrest. Images from January 13 showed officers standing guard at the ghat after the protests.

DCP Bansal emphasized that the social media campaign appeared designed not only to hurt religious sentiments but also to foster anti-government sentiment. “This was a coordinated attempt to undermine public trust in authorized development work through technological manipulation,” he said.

Varanasi, the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has seen extensive urban renewal projects in recent years. The city, considered one of the holiest in Hinduism, attracts millions of pilgrims annually. Manikarnika Ghat, in particular, holds special religious significance as a cremation site where many Hindus believe liberation from the cycle of rebirth can be achieved.

Authorities have warned that investigations are ongoing, and further legal action will be taken against those who created, shared, or commented on the misleading content. “We are taking this matter extremely seriously,” Bansal stated. “Spreading deliberate misinformation, especially when it involves religious sentiments in a place as significant as Varanasi, will face strict legal consequences.”

The incident highlights the growing challenge of combating AI-generated misinformation in India, where religious sensitivities can easily trigger public unrest. Law enforcement agencies across the country have been increasingly vigilant about monitoring social media platforms for manipulated content that could potentially disturb communal harmony.