Doctored Russian FM Video: FIR Filed Against Prashant Bhushan
Delhi Police file FIR against advocate Prashant Bhushan for sharing a manipulated video of Russian FM Sergey Lavrov critical of India.
The Delhi Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against prominent advocate Prashant Bhushan for allegedly circulating a doctored video of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The manipulated clip purportedly showed the Russian diplomat criticising India regarding its internal affairs and the purchase of oil, leading authorities to take strict legal action.
How the Case Came to Light
The matter was uncovered during routine cyber patrolling by the Delhi Police on November 3, 2026. According to an official statement shared on X, the police noticed a claim by the social media handle @thequotesnews, which alleged that a "hostile" and doctored video of the Russian Foreign Minister had been shared via Prashant Bhushan's official handle, @pbhushan1.
The police stated that the video contained misleading, defamatory, and inflammatory content. They alleged that the circulation of such a clip was intended to incite public disturbance and spread rumors across the country.
Legal Charges and Police Action
The FIR, numbered 263/26, has been registered by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police. The case has been filed under several stringent sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act, including:
- Section 336(4) BNS: Relating to forgery.
- Section 353(1)(c) BNS: Concerning public mischief.
- Section 356 BNS: Dealing with defamation.
- Section 340(2) BNS: Additional penal provisions.
- Section 66C of the IT Act: Pertaining to identity theft or cheating by personation using computer resources.
Official Denials and Fact Checks
The controversy escalated after Prashant Bhushan shared the clip on social media, describing the purported remarks as a "tight slap" directed at the Indian government. However, this claim was quickly debunked by official channels.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Fact Check unit issued a "Fake Alert" on X, explicitly rejecting the authenticity of the video and warning the public that the content was fabricated. Adding to the confirmation, the Russian Embassy also stepped in to reject the remarks attributed to Sergey Lavrov, confirming that the video had been digitally manipulated.
Government fact-checking agencies further clarified that the clip had undergone digital alteration, featuring fabricated audio and captions to misrepresent the Foreign Minister's words.