Delhi Police have removed around 300 social media posts during ongoing demonstrations in the capital and denied a claim that police opened fire at a rally led by Rahul Gandhi, warning that people spreading malicious rumours and AI-generated misinformation could face legal action.
Police said teams are monitoring social media platforms to identify fake news, false claims and content that could disturb public order. The action comes amid protests in Delhi, when unverified posts can quickly influence public gatherings and trigger tension on the streets.
The police rejected a social media claim alleging that firing had taken place at Rahul Gandhi’s rally and that five workers had been killed. The post also claimed that the situation was worsening and called on people to come out onto the streets and bring Delhi to a standstill.
Delhi Police appealed to users not to believe or circulate the claim. The force also warned the social media page that published the post of strict legal action. Police said spreading malicious rumours on social media is a punishable offence.
According to police sources cited in the report, the approximately 300 posts removed so far included content allegedly shared with the intention of spreading rumours. Delhi Police have also contacted X over the removal of objectionable and allegedly misleading material related to the demonstrations.
The police action reflects the growing role of online monitoring in managing public-order risks around protests. The platforms being monitored can carry genuine updates as well as fabricated claims, making the rapid identification and removal of misleading content part of the authorities’ response during demonstrations.
Police have separately cited a recent case involving a 24-year-old man who was arrested over an alleged AI-generated fake video. The video purportedly showed a police officer sexually assaulting a woman journalist during a protest related to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Police alleged that the video was created and circulated to mislead users.
The current case centres on the false firing claim and the posts linked to it. Delhi Police have asked people to rely on verified information, avoid forwarding unconfirmed material and refrain from actions based on rumours. The force said legal action would be taken against attempts to spread misinformation or incite unrest.
