Varanasi: Commissioner of Police Mohit Agrawal on Monday warned that if those behind the fake and AI-generated photos of temple demolition at Manikarnika Ghat don’t show up within 72 hours of receiving notices, it’ll be taken as an admission of guilt, and police will take further legal action.The CP issued the warning after taking stock of the Kumbha Mahadev temple inside Kashi Vishwanath Dham and Manikarnika Ghat, where a high-voltage drama unfolded due to the abortive bid by Pal Samaj activists to stage a demonstration against the alleged desecration of the idol of 18th-century Queen Ahilyabai Holkar.An FIR has been lodged on the complaint of the project manager of the company executing the ghat rejuvenation project and an additional municipal commissioner against eight individuals, including Ashutosh Pontis, Sanjay Singh of AAP, Pappu Yadav and Jasvinder Kaur of Congress, Praganya Gupta, Manish Singh, Ritu Rathaur, and Sandip Dev, under Sections 196 (promoting enmity), 298 (destroying places of worship), 299 (malicious attempt to outrage religious sentiments), and 353 (rumour mongering) of BNS, with Chowk police station.Investigators confirmed on Sunday that images of Kumbha Mahadev temple, located inside KV Dham, were falsely posted as Manikarnika Ghat demolition photos. Notices have been served to eight accused in the case. Following his inspection of the temple, the CP said that FIRs were lodged against eight persons on Saturday after their posts and reposts on X handles spread rumours regarding the desecration of the temple and idol. The post contained a fake and AI-generated image of the Kumbha Mahadev temple, which exists inside KV Dham and not at Manikarnika Ghat.“I am standing at the same temple, where no work has been done in the recent past, and it is completely safe. Regular puja and religious rituals are being performed like all other temples of KV Dham,” said the CP, mentioning that when police started investigating the FIRs lodged with Chowk police station, the investigators found that similar photos were posted and reposted.After it emerged that fake and AI-generated photos were used to mislead people and hurt their sentiments, notices were issued to all eight accused to appear before the police within 72 hours and record their statements clarifying their stand and intention, said the CP. “If they do not appear, it will be considered that they confessed their crime, and further criminal procedure will be started after forwarding the report to the court.” Regarding FIRs against MPs and politicians like AAP’s Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh and Pappu Yadav of Congress, Agrawal said the law is equal for everyone in the country He said that after charges are framed in court, an arrest is possible on the issuance of a warrant by the court. The CP said that maintaining law and order is the top priority, and no one will be allowed to disturb social harmony by spreading rumours.Agrawal said they’re looking into why these fake posts were shared – to figure out if it was a conspiracy or an attempt to stir emotions for political gain. He added that if the investigation reveals any conspiracy behind it, more sections will be added to the case. Regarding the videos of breaking structures containing idols that also went viral on various social media platforms, the CP said the investigation was in progress and every point would be covered.During its monitoring of social media, the cyber crime cell of police noticed that many viral misleading posts were being deleted, either out of fear of legal action or after learning the truth, said the CP, appealing to people to post content only after verifying its reality.Before the CP reached KV Dham, high-voltage drama already unfolded on the Manikarnika Ghat route as scores of members of the Pal Samaj tried to march towards the ghat amid sloganeering to stage a protest against the alleged desecration of idols of Ahilyabai.Officials leading a heavy police force deployed at the ghat and also on the streets leading to it tried to convince them to stop and return in view of the sensitivity of the cremation ghat. However, many protesters pushed the cops and also tore the uniform of some policemen. After that, the cops waved canes and dispersed the gathering.ACP Dashaswamedh Atul Anjan Tripathi said that 17 of those protesters were taken to Chowk police station, from where they were allowed to go after some time.
