Bhupesh Baghel (former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Congress leader) has been linked to two notable video-related controversies involving manipulated or AI-generated content.
1. 2026 AI Deepfake Video (Most Recent)
In late April 2026, a suspected AI-generated deepfake video targeting Baghel circulated on Instagram (accounts linked to handles such as “congresspolkhol” and “randomchhattisgarh”).
- Congress leaders described it as fake, defamatory, and created to malign Baghel’s image.
- The video also allegedly involved his former deputy secretary (Saumya Chaurasia), which prompted the Chhattisgarh State Women’s Commission to take cognizance.
- Police in Durg registered an FIR at Bhilai Nagar police station under BNS Section 353(2) (statements promoting enmity/hatred).
- Authorities wrote to Instagram seeking account details and began a cyber investigation to identify creators and circulators.
- Congress workers protested and submitted memorandums demanding action.
The case was treated as a political character assassination attempt via AI technology. Investigation status remains focused on tracing the source.
2. Older 2017 Morphed “Sex CD” Case
An older controversy from 2017 involved a morphed/obscene video allegedly of BJP leader and former minister Rajesh Munat.
- Baghel (then a senior Congress figure) was accused of involvement in circulating the material to damage Munat’s image for political gain.
- The case was later transferred to the CBI.
- In early 2026, a special CBI court set aside a lower court’s discharge order against Baghel, allowing the trial to proceed under relevant IPC and IT Act sections.
- As of late July 2026, the Chhattisgarh High Court stayed further proceedings in the CBI special court after Baghel challenged the framing of charges.
Baghel has denied involvement in the older case.
Related Notes
There have also been separate controversies involving alleged fake chats/screenshots linked to Baghel’s name (e.g., with YouTubers facing FIRs for blackmail or circulating misleading content), but these are distinct from pure deepfake video cases.
Deepfakes and morphed videos remain a growing political tool in India, often leading to FIRs under laws covering defamation, enmity promotion, and IT Act provisions. Investigations in the 2026 AI case are ongoing, with limited public updates on arrests or technical confirmation of the deepfake’s origin.
If you need details on a specific aspect (court status, political reactions, or related cases), let me know.
