Leh: The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has confirmed that a viral video allegedly showing Ladakh DGP SD Singh Jamwal claiming that climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was arrested on the defence minister’s instructions is a deepfake.
The Leh district police said the digitally manipulated video, circulating on social media platform X, attributes false statements to the DGP with “malicious intent” and warned that it could disturb peace and harmony in the region.
An FIR (148) has been registered at Leh Police Station under sections 353(2), 356 of the Indian Penal Code and 66C and 66D of the IT Act, 2000. Investigations are ongoing.
The police urged the public to verify content before sharing and to report any misleading posts or videos to the Cyber Cell Leh.
The original incident relates to Wangchuk’s arrest on September 26, two days after protests in Leh demanding statehood for Ladakh and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule, which left four civilians dead and around 90 injured. Wangchuk was taken into custody by a police team led by Jamwal.
On September 30, PIB’s Fact Check unit had already flagged the digitally altered video, clarifying that the DGP had not made any such statements regarding the defence minister.
