Delhi Police files FIR against Prashant Bhushan over fake Russian foreign minister

Deccan HeraldIndependentCenterNov 4

Delhi Police has registered a First Information Report (FIR) against senior Supreme Court advocate Prashant Bhushan for sharing a digitally altered video of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The incident came to light through cyber patrolling on November 3, when officers identified a social media post claiming Bhushan’s X account had circulated the manipulated clip. Authorities stated the video contained misleading and inflammatory content intended to spread rumors, cause defamation, and disrupt public order. The FIR cites multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita regarding forgery, public mischief, and defamation, as well as provisions of the Information Technology Act concerning identity theft. This legal action follows a fact-check by the Ministry of External Affairs, which confirmed the video was fabricated and falsely attributed to Lavrov making critical remarks about India.

Bias read (Center): The article relies exclusively on official police and government statements to describe the legal proceedings and the nature of the alleged offense without adding independent commentary or contrasting perspectives.

Hindustan TimesIndependentCenterNov 4

Delhi Police have registered a First Information Report against senior Supreme Court advocate Prashant Bhushan for allegedly sharing a digitally altered video of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. The manipulated clip purportedly featured Lavrov making hostile remarks regarding India's domestic policies and its procurement of Russian crude oil. Authorities detected the post during routine cyber surveillance on November 3, noting that the content was designed to incite public disorder and spread misinformation. The case was filed under specific provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act. Concurrently, the Ministry of External Affairs issued a fact-check warning against another viral but false post attributed to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar concerning the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Bias read (Center): The report relies exclusively on official police statements and ministry fact-checks, presenting the legal action and the nature of the digital manipulation without adding subjective commentary or balancing perspectives from the accused.