Manikarnika Ghat AI fake image: What is this controversy and why Pappu Yadav, Sanjay Singh were named in FIR?

• FIRs filed over alleged AI-manipulated images of Varanasi's Manikarnika Ghat
• AAP's Sanjay Singh and Congress leaders named in police investigation
• Police say temple was preserved; opposition calls FIRs dictatorial

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A police investigation into the alleged use of artificially manipulated images to spread misinformation about redevelopment work at Varanasi’s historic Manikarnika Ghat has ignited a fierce political confrontation, with cases filed against several opposition leaders.

The Varanasi police confirmed on Sunday that they are probing two First Information Reports (FIRs) which allege a coordinated effort to create a false narrative against the ongoing renovation of the sacred site.

📍 Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi.

One of Hinduism’s most sacred sites, revered for centuries and deeply associated with the legacy of Ahilyadevi Holkar, is witnessing the destruction of ancient idols and temples in the name of development. After the large-scale demolition carried… pic.twitter.com/XMvo0EtN0P — Dr Syed Naseer Hussain, M P (@NasirHussainINC) January 15, 2026

Authorities state that old photographs of the Kumbha Mahadev temple, located within the Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor, were tampered with using artificial intelligence (AI) and circulated on social media platform X to falsely suggest a temple had been demolished for the Manikarnika project.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Dashaswamedh) Atul Anjan Tripathi stated that an investigation was launched following a complaint. The FIR names eight individuals and X handles under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita pertaining to promoting enmity, destroying places of worship, outraging religious sentiments and rumour mongering.

VIDEO | Varanasi: General secretary of Akhil Bharatiya Sant Samiti, Swami Jitendranand Saraswati visits Manikarnika Ghat. He says, "You can see the Tarkeshwar Mahadev behind me is completely safe, and even if a bulldozer comes here, there is no way it can be demolished. Yet,… pic.twitter.com/3gRebVTuNR — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 20, 2026

“Initial investigation suggested that old images of a temple, which exists in KV Dham, were used in posts on X by a handler. All the accused were issued notices to appear before the police to give their statements,” ACP Tripathi was cited as saying by TOI. He emphasised that the Kumbha Mahadev temple was preserved during the KV Dham rejuvenation between 2019 and 2021, remains active and is not located at Manikarnika Ghat.

The police action stems from a complaint filed on Saturday by Mano, a project manager for the company undertaking the ghat’s renovation and additional municipal commissioner Sangam Lal. Mano alleged that “fake and misleading” images were damaging social harmony and spreading lies about the beautification work, which began last November. The complaint specifically cited X user Ashutosh Potnis for sharing photographs “contrary to the facts,” with posts later reposted by others.

Those named in the FIR include Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, Congress leaders Jaswinder Kaur and Lok Sabha MP Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav, alongside several other individuals. Reacting to the case, Singh stood by allegations that the redevelopment had caused destruction, claiming temples were damaged and a statue of Ahilyabai Holkar was defaced, prompting protests.

The lodging of the FIRs triggered immediate condemnation from opposition parties, who denounced it as a dictatorial move. Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai challenged the government to provide concrete evidence that the viral videos were AI-generated.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hit back forcefully. A senior BJP functionary, Pushkar Mishra, accused the opposition of a “deliberate and malicious campaign” driven by political desperation. He stated the FIRs were a necessary step to protect public faith and social harmony, alleging the Congress had a history of disrespecting India’s cultural heritage.

Echoing this, Chief Minister Adityanath had earlier accused the Congress of spreading “false propaganda” to defame Kashi, a charge that set the stage for the escalating war of words.