{"id":1343,"date":"2026-01-18T22:43:17","date_gmt":"2026-01-18T17:13:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsaxis.com\/?p=1343"},"modified":"2026-01-18T22:43:55","modified_gmt":"2026-01-18T17:13:55","slug":"eight-firs-filed-in-varanasi-over-ai-images-misleading-claims-on-manikarnika-ghat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsaxis.com\/?p=1343","title":{"rendered":"Eight FIRs filed in Varanasi over AI images, misleading claims on Manikarnika Ghat"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Varanasi, Eight FIRs have been registered in Uttar Pradesh&#8217;s Varanasi after alleged AI-generated images and misleading claims related to the redevelopment work at Manikarnika Ghat surfaced on social media, police officials said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The cases were lodged after visuals and posts, claimed to be fabricated, began circulating online and drew widespread attention and criticism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Police officials said the FIRs target eight individuals, along with certain X handles, accused of spreading false visuals and incorrect information regarding the ongoing beautification work at Manikarnika Ghat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the police, fabricated images and misleading content, which were contrary to the facts of the redevelopment work at Manikarnika Ghat, were shared on the social media platform X.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The officials alleged that some of the images depicted Hindu deities in a distorted manner, with the intent to hurt religious sentiments, spread misinformation, create anger among the public and disturb social harmony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Speaking to IANS, ACP Atul Anjan said, &#8220;Several misleading posts and images related to the ongoing work at Manikarnika Ghat have been circulated.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He warned that anyone found posting such content on social media in the future would face strict action under the law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He also mentioned that the FIRs include the names of leaders associated with the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Regarding this, a complaint was lodged at the Chowk police station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The complainant stated that his company has been carrying out work to improve cremation-related facilities and beautify Manikarnika Ghat since November 15, 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As per the complaint, an X handle user shared AI-generated and misleading images late on the night of January 16.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The posts allegedly presented distorted facts about the redevelopment project, misleading devotees of the Hindu faith and creating resentment within society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Police said the posts soon attracted a large number of objectionable comments and reposts, further escalating tensions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Authorities have warned that strict action will continue against individuals spreading rumours on social media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Legal proceedings are being initiated not only against the concerned X handle users but also against those who reposted and commented on the content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The controversy has emerged at a time when redevelopment work is underway at the historic cremation site, a project that has already witnessed protests from sections of residents who have raised concerns over possible damage to the area&#8217;s heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Varanasi, Eight FIRs have been registered in Uttar Pradesh&#8217;s Varanasi after alleged AI-generated images and misleading claims related to the redevelopment work at Manikarnika Ghat surfaced on social media, police [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1343","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-top-news","has_no_thumb"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsaxis.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1343","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsaxis.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsaxis.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsaxis.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsaxis.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1343"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/newsaxis.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1343\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1346,"href":"https:\/\/newsaxis.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1343\/revisions\/1346"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsaxis.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1343"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsaxis.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1343"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsaxis.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1343"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}