Three Held in South Dinajpur for Fake Videos, Misleading Social Media Posts with Suspected Foreign Links
Balurghat, South Dinajpur: South Dinajpur district police have arrested three persons for allegedly running a coordinated disinformation campaign on social media, spreading fake videos and misleading information with the stated intention of creating panic and disturbing communal harmony during the festive season. Acting on a complaint received on October 19, police launched an investigation and subsequently raided the Kaldighi area of Gangarampur, from where the three accused were picked up. They have been identified as Rehan Sarkar (27) and Suman Roy (28), both residents of areas under the Kumarganj police station, and Siddique Ali Mia (32), a resident of Gangarampur. According to Superintendent of Police Abhishek Gupta, the men were allegedly operating multiple Facebook pages and social media handles which were used to circulate doctored images and fabricated videos. Investigators have registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and relevant sections of the Information Technology Act, and are now examining possible foreign connections and suspicious financial transactions linked to the alleged network. The development has triggered concern that a wider operation may be at play, aimed at destabilising social peace in the region and spreading distrust against the government.
The arrests were made after a preliminary inquiry led police to track the origin of several provocative posts that had begun appearing on Facebook and other platforms in the days leading up to the festive season. The content, according to police, was tailored to inflame religious and social tensions, particularly at a time when large numbers of people were gathering for community celebrations. Senior officials said that local residents were involved in operating the pages, but their activities appeared to be guided and financially supported by individuals or organisations outside the country. During interrogations, the accused reportedly disclosed that they were part of a network with international contacts. The police have also recovered digital evidence indicating transactions through various financial channels, leading investigators to suspect that the misinformation campaign was not a spontaneous act but a funded operation. The exact amount of money involved and the identities of the overseas handlers remain unclear, but the police have not ruled out a larger conspiracy involving more persons who may still be at large.
The case has highlighted the growing threat of synthetic and manipulated media in spreading panic. Investigators found that some of the videos and photographs shared by the accused were not only old and unrelated to current events but had been cleverly morphed to create new false narratives. For instance, footage from past incidents was recaptioned and passed off as recent, while some images were digitally altered to make them appear more violent or inflammatory. The accused allegedly used multiple social media accounts to amplify these posts, creating an impression of widespread public anger or danger. Police said the objective was to create fear and chaos, and to make people believe that their safety was under threat during the festive period. The forensic examination of seized mobile phones, computers and SIM cards is being carried out by the cyber cell, and investigators are seeking details of deleted posts, private messages, and interaction with other accounts that may help expose the full network.
Superintendent Abhishek Gupta, while confirming the arrests, said in a statement: “On October 19, we received a complaint that fake news was being circulated through certain social media platforms. Attempts were being made to disturb social harmony during the festive season. After a preliminary investigation, we registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act. We found that local residents were operating certain Facebook pages and handles to spread such content. During interrogation, we learnt that they were part of a network with links outside the country. We have also found evidence of financial transactions. The network was allegedly manipulating or morphing photographs and videos to spread panic among the public. The accused have been arrested.” He added that the police are now working with cyber experts to trace the source of funding and identify other individuals connected to the operation. He also appealed to the public not to forward unverified messages, and urged citizens to report suspicious social media content to the police immediately.
Investigators suspect that the three arrested men may have links with a much wider syndicate that has been involved in spreading fabricated videos and rumours against the government in different parts of the country. Officers familiar with the case said that similar tactics have been observed in other states, where fake videos have led to mob violence, panic buying, and communal unrest. The alleged use of foreign money to fund such operations is a particularly serious aspect, as it suggests an external hand seeking to exploit social divisions. The police are now coordinating with central agencies and cyber security institutions to map the financial trail, including possible use of cryptocurrency, international payment gateways or remittances through informal channels. At the same time, local intelligence units have been asked to monitor public gatherings and social media activity more closely during the remaining festive days, to prevent any recurrence of disinformation. The police have also appealed to social media platforms to cooperate in taking down malicious content and preserving evidence for investigation.
All three accused have been taken into police custody and were due to be produced before a local court, where police are expected to ask for their remand for further questioning. During searches conducted at their residences, police reportedly seized multiple mobile phones, SIM cards, memory cards and laptop devices, which are now being analysed in a forensic laboratory. The investigation is still in its early stages, but police have already indicated that the charges against the accused are serious, as they relate not only to computer-related offences but also to acts that could provoke enmity between different groups and disturb public order. Legal experts have noted that if the allegations are proven, the accused could face stringent punishment under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act. Meanwhile, community leaders and local residents have welcomed the swift action by the police, saying that the festival season is a time for unity and must not be allowed to be spoiled by malicious rumours. The district administration has also issued an advisory, asking people to verify any suspicious news through official channels before sharing it, and stressing that the police will take strict legal action against anyone found attempting to disturb the peace.