Follow us on Google News
Delhi Police have registered an FIR against advocate Prashant Bhushan for allegedly sharing a doctored video of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on X.
How Did the Video Come to Police Attention?
The matter surfaced during cyber patrolling on November 3, 2026, when police noticed a post by the X account @thequotesnews. The post claimed that a manipulated video of Lavrov had been shared from Bhushan’s account.
The video allegedly portrayed Lavrov criticising India and its foreign policy, suggesting Russian dissatisfaction with India’s position on international issues. Bhushan had shared the clip with a caption describing it as a rebuke from the Russian Foreign Minister and questioning External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s advice to Russia.
What Did the Russian Embassy and MEA Say?
The video was subsequently identified as fake. The Russian Embassy in India criticised the circulation of AI-generated misinformation and urged social media users to stop sharing such content. The Ministry of External Affairs also clarified that the video attributed to Lavrov was fabricated.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju criticised Bhushan on X, accusing him of previously circulating false information about judges and ministers. Rijiju also alleged that such activities were intended to damage India’s image and constitutional institutions.
What Legal Provisions Have Been Invoked?
Delhi Police registered FIR No. 263/26 at the Special Cell under Sections 336(4), 353(1)(c), 356 and 340(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Section 66C of the Information Technology Act.
According to police, the video was circulated with misleading and inflammatory claims that could spread rumours and disturb public order. The allegations concern the circulation of manipulated content involving a senior foreign government official and its potential impact on public perception.
What Is the Status of the Investigation?
The investigation remains underway, with police examining the circumstances surrounding the video’s circulation. The clip now appears to have been deleted from Bhushan’s X account, although the reported deletion does not establish when or why it was removed.
The case concerns allegations arising from the sharing of a fabricated diplomatic video. The FIR records the police allegations, and the investigation has yet to establish the circumstances and responsibility surrounding its circulation. No final finding of guilt has been reported.
