FIR against Prashant Bhushan over fake video of Russian foreign minister

According to police, the video contained misleading and inflammatory content that could spread rumours, defame individuals and disturb public order.
Activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan.
Activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan. File photo | Express
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Delhi Police has registered an FIR against senior Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan for allegedly sharing a digitally manipulated video of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov containing remarks critical of India, officials said.

The FIR was registered at the Special Cell police station following cyber patrolling on November 3, when police came across a social media post by the handle @thequotesnews claiming that the purportedly doctored video had been shared from Bhushan’s X account.

According to police, the video contained misleading and inflammatory content that could spread rumours, defame individuals and disturb public order.

The case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act.

The development comes after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) fact-checked the video, clarifying that it was digitally manipulated and falsely attributed to Lavrov.

The fabricated clip purportedly showed the Russian foreign minister making critical remarks about India's internal affairs and its oil purchases.

Police are investigating the matter and examining the video's content and its circulation on social media.

(With inputs from PTI)

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