Authorities in Varanasi have initiated eight criminal cases regarding the dissemination of AI-generated images related to redevelopment at the Manikarnika Ghat, a sacred site for Hindus.
Varanasi police have registered eight criminal cases after allegedly fake, AI-generated images linked to redevelopment work at Manikarnika Ghat, one of Hinduism’s holiest cremation sites, circulated widely on social media.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Gaurav Bansal said the cases were filed at Chowk police station against eight people and several social media accounts on X. The complaints accuse them of sharing fabricated images and misleading claims about the ongoing beautification and strengthening work at the ghat.
Police said the posts included visuals allegedly linked to Hindu deities and were circulated with the intent to hurt religious sentiments, spread misinformation and provoke public anger. Authorities said the content misrepresented the actual nature of the redevelopment work and triggered a wave of objectionable comments and reposts, escalating tensions online.
The cases were registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, India’s new criminal law code. According to police, a complaint was filed by Mano, a resident of Tamil Nadu, whose company has been carrying out work at the ghat since November 15, 2025. The complaint alleged that an X user shared AI-generated and misleading images late Friday night.
Bansal said the circulation of false information was aimed not only at hurting religious sentiments but also at creating an anti-government narrative. He warned that legal action would extend to those who reposted or amplified the content. A detailed investigation is underway, police said.
A day earlier, District Magistrate Satyendra Kumar sought to calm the controversy, saying no idols had been damaged during the reconstruction. He said claims circulating on social media were baseless and did not reflect conditions on the ground.
Kumar said some artworks embedded in old walls were affected during the work but were preserved by the Culture Department and moved to a safe location. They will be reinstalled after the project is completed, he said.
