Deepfake Crackdown: Delhi Police Nabs Arwal Resident for Fake PM Modi Photos
New Delhi, March 21, 2026 — In a major crackdown on the malicious use of artificial intelligence, the Delhi Police has arrested a man from Bihar for allegedly creating and disseminating highly objectionable AI-generated images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The accused, identified as Siddhnath Kumar, was apprehended in a coordinated joint operation conducted by the Delhi Police and their local counterparts in Bihar.
Tracked Down in Arwal District
According to senior police officials, the investigation was launched after multiple social media accounts were found circulating morphed, derogatory images of the Prime Minister. Cyber cell units tracked the digital footprint of the uploads, which eventually led them to Maulanachak village in Bihar’s Arwal district.
Following the digital trail, the joint police team swooped in on Saturday to take Kumar into custody. An official confirmed that the accused deliberately “created and circulated objectionable images… using artificial intelligence tools” and distributed them across various social media platforms to maximize their reach.
Authorities are treating the matter with high priority given the sensitive nature of the deepfake content. Kumar has been formally booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), with charges including forgery, criminal intimidation, and defamation.
Following his arrest in Bihar, Kumar has been sent to New Delhi, where he will be subjected to further, intensive interrogation.
A Broader Network?
The Delhi Police cyber unit is currently analyzing the devices seized from the accused to determine exactly which AI tools were utilized to generate the fake images. Investigators are also probing the case to find out whether Kumar was operating independently or if he is part of a larger, coordinated network designed to spread political misinformation and defamatory content.
This high-profile arrest serves as a stark warning from law enforcement agencies regarding the weaponization of AI and deepfake technology to target public figures.