#FactCheck: AI-Generated Image Falsely Linked to Protest Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar in London
Executive Summary
A photo of a Bangladeshi national holding the Bangladesh flag during a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in London is going viral on social media. The image is being shared with the claim that it was taken during the protest. CyberPeace Research found the viral claim to be false. The image is not authentic and is AI-generated.
Claim:
A photo of a Bangladeshi national holding the Bangladesh flag during a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in London.
Fact Check
To verify the authenticity of the viral image claiming to show a Bangladeshi man holding the Bangladesh flag during a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in London, we conducted a reverse image search using Google Lens. However, we could not find the image in any credible media reports.
Upon closely examining the image, we noticed several inconsistencies. For instance, the text on the posters held by people in the image is not clearly legible, and the reporter's microphone does not bear the logo of any media organisation. Such inconsistencies are commonly observed in AI-generated images.
To further examine the image, we analysed it using the AI detection tool Sightengine. The tool indicated a 99.2 per cent probability that the image was AI-generated.
Another AI detection platform, AI or Not, also identified the image as highly likely to be AI-generated.
Conclusion
The evidence gathered during CyberPeace Research confirms that the image circulating with the claim that it shows a Bangladeshi national holding the Bangladesh flag during a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in London is AI-generated.
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Introduction
Pagers were commonly utilized in the late 1990s and early 2000s, especially in fields that needed fast, reliable communication and swift alerts and information sharing. Pagers typically offer a broader coverage range, particularly in remote areas with limited cellular signals, which enhances their dependability. They are simple electronic devices with minimal features, making them easy to use and less prone to technical issues. The decline in their use has been caused by the rise of mobile phones and their extensive features, offering more advanced communication options like voice calls, text messages, and internet access. Despite this, pagers are still used in some specific industries.
A shocking incident occurred on 17th September 2014, where thousands of pager devices exploded within seconds across Lebanon in a synchronized attack, targeting the US-designated terror group Hezbollah. The explosions killed at least 9 and injured over 2,800 individuals in the country that has been caught up in the Israel-Palestine tensions in its backyard.
The Pager Bombs Incident
On Tuesday, 17th September 2024, hundreds of pagers carried by Hezbollah members in Lebanon exploded in an unprecedented attack, surpassing a series of covert assassinations and cyber-attacks in the region over recent years. The Iran-backed militant group claimed the wireless devices began to explode around 3:30 p.m., local time, in a targeted attack on Hezbollah operatives. The pagers that exploded were new and had been purchased by Hezbollah in recent months. Experts say the explosions underscore Hezbollah's vulnerability as its communication network was compromised to deadly effect. Several areas of the country were affected, particularly Beirut's southern suburbs, a populous area that is a known Hezbollah stronghold. At least 9 people were killed, including a child, and about 2,800 people were wounded, overwhelming Lebanese hospitals.
Second Wave of Attack
As per the most recent reports, the next day, following the pager bombing incident, a second wave of blasts hit Beirut and multiple parts of Lebanon. Certain wireless devices such as walkie-talkies, solar equipment, and car batteries exploded, resulting in at least 9 people killed and 300 injured, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. The attack is said to have embarrassed Hezbollah, incapacitated many of its members, and raised fears about a greater escalation of hostilities between the Iran-backed Lebanese armed group and Israel.
A New Kind of Threat - ‘Cyber-Physical’ Attacks
The incident raises serious concerns about physical tampering with daily-use electronic devices and the possibility of triggering a new age of warfare. This highlights the serious physical threat posed, wherein even devices such as smartwatches, earbuds, and pacemakers could be vulnerable to physical tampering if an attacker gains physical access to them. We are potentially looking at a new age of ‘cyber-physical’ threats where the boundaries between the digital and the physical are blurring rapidly. It raises questions about unauthorised access and manipulation targeting the physical security of such electronic devices. There is a cause for concern regarding the global supply chain across sectors, if even seemingly-innocuous devices can be weaponised to such devastating effect. Such kinds of attacks are capable of causing significant disruption and casualties, as demonstrated by pager bombings in Lebanon, which resulted in numerous deaths and injuries. It also raises questions on the regulatory mechanism and oversights checks at every stage of the electronic device lifecycle, from component manufacturing to the final assembly and shipment or supply. This is a grave issue because embedding explosives and doing malicious modifications by adversaries can turn such electronic devices into weapons.
CyberPeace Outlook
The pager bombing attack demonstrates a new era of threats in warfare tactics, revealing the advanced coordination and technical capabilities of adversaries where they have weaponised the daily use of electronic devices. They have targeted the hardware security of electronic devices, presenting a serious new threat to hardware security. The threat is grave, and has understandably raised widespread apprehension globally. Such kind of gross weaponisation of daily-use devices, specially in the conflict context, also triggers concerns about the violation of International Humanitarian Law principles. It also raises serious questions on the liabilities of companies, suppliers and manufacturers of such devices, who are subject to regulatory checks and ensuring the authenticity of their products.
The incident highlights the need for a more robust regulatory landscape, with stricter supply chain regulations as we adjust to the realities of a possible new era of weaponisation and conflict expression. CyberPeace recommends the incorporation of stringent tracking and vetting processes in product supply chains, along with the strengthening of international cooperation mechanisms to ensure compliance with protocols regarding the responsible use of technology. These will go a long way towards establishing peace in the global cyberspace and restore trust and safety with regards to everyday technologies.
References:
1. https://indianexpress.com/article/what-is/what-is-a-pager-9573113/
5. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/18/hezbollah-pager-explosion-lebanon-israel-gold-apollo
Executive Summary
A dispute over water balloons on the day of Holi in the Uttam Nagar area of Delhi reportedly turned violent, resulting in the brutal murder of a young man named Tarun Khatik. Following the incident, a video is being widely shared on social media and linked to the murder case. In the viral video, Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, can be seen walking alongside Ravi Kishan, Member of Parliament from Gorakhpur. People standing along the route are seen showering flowers on them. Several users claim that the video shows the chief minister visiting the house of Tarun Khatik to meet his family.
However, research by CyberPeace found the viral claim to be misleading. Our research revealed that the video has no connection to the Tarun Khatik murder case. In fact, the video is from a Holika Dahan celebration held in Gorakhpur, which is now being shared on social media with a misleading claim.
Claim Post:
An Instagram user shared the viral video on March 10, 2026, writing: “Tarun bhai ko insaaf dilane ke liye aage aaye maananiya mukhyamantri Shri Yogi Adityanath ji.”
Fact Check:
To verify the claim, we extracted several key frames from the viral video and conducted a reverse image search using Google Lens. During the search, we found the same video posted on a Facebook account on March 2, 2026.
According to the caption of the Facebook post, the video shows a grand procession organised by the Shri Shri Holika Dahan Utsav Samiti, Pandeyhata in Gorakhpur. Yogi Adityanath attended the procession and was seen celebrating Holi with people by playing with flowers and coloured powder. During the procession, flower petals were showered on devotees, and the entire area witnessed a festive atmosphere filled with colours, devotion, and enthusiasm. A large number of people participated in the celebration, and the festival was celebrated with traditional drums and music. During further research, we also found images related to the viral video on the official X (formerly Twitter) account of Ravi Kishan. These images were shared on March 2, 2026, and the caption confirmed that they were taken during the Holika Dahan celebration in Gorakhpur.
At the end of the research, we also found the same video uploaded on March 3, 2026 on the Instagram page Local News Gorakhpur. According to the information in the post, Yogi Adityanath and several other leaders participated in the grand procession organised by the Shri Shri Holika Dahan Utsav Samiti, Pandeyhata. People celebrated Holi with flowers and coloured powder during the event.
Conclusion:
Our research found that the viral video has no connection with the Tarun Khatik murder case in Uttam Nagar, Delhi. The video actually shows Yogi Adityanath participating in a Holika Dahan celebration in Gorakhpur. Therefore, the video is being shared on social media with a misleading claim.
Introduction
Cybercrime is one of the most pressing concerns in today’s era. As the digital world is evolving rapidly, so do the threats and challenges to curb these cybercrimes. The complexities associated with the evolving cybercrimes make it difficult to detect and investigate by the law enforcement across the world. India is one of those countries that is actively engaged in creating awareness about the cybercrimes and security concerns across the State. At the national level, initiatives like National Cybercrime Reporting Portal, CERT-In and I4C have been established to assist the law enforcement in dealing with cybercrimes in India. According to the press release by the Ministry of Home Affairs, 12,5153 cases of Financial Cyber Frauds were reported in the year 2023, which is the second highest in State-wise Reporting after UP. Maharashtra has been highlighted as one of the States with the highest cybercrime cases for the past few years.
In response to curbing the increasing number of cases, the state of Maharashtra has launched the initiative ‘the Maharashtra Cyber Security Project’. The purpose of this project is to strengthen the system’s defense mechanism by establishing cybersecurity infrastructure, exploiting technological advancements and enhancing the skills of law enforcement agencies.
Maharashtra Cyber Department and the Cyber Security Project
The Maharashtra Cyber Department, also referred as MahaCyber was established in the year 2016 and employs a multi-faceted approach to address cyberthreats. The objective is to provide a user-friendly space to report Cybercrimes, safeguarding Critical Information Infrastructure from cyber threats, empowering the investigation law agencies ultimately improving its efficiency and creating awareness among common people.
The Maharashtra Cyber Security Project aims to strengthen the department, bringing all the aspects of the cyber security system under one facility. The key components of the Maharashtra Cyber Security Project are as follows:
- Command & Control Centre:
The Command & Control Centre will function as a 24/ complaint registration hub and grievance handling mechanism which can be accessed by calling the helpline number, mobile app or on the online portal. The Centre continuously monitors cyber threats, reduce the impact of cyber attacks and ensures that issues are resolved as soon as possible.
- Technology Assisted Investigation (TAI):
Complaints that are registered are analysed and investigated by experts using cutting edge technologies such as Computer Forensic or Mobile Forensic, Voice Analysis System, Image Enhancement Tool, Deepfake Detection Solution to name a few which helps the Maharashtra Cyber Department to collect evidence, identify weak spots and mitigate the cyber threats effectively.
- Computer Emergency Response Team – Maharashtra (CERT-MH):
The CRET-MH works on curbing cybercrimes which are especially targeted to affect the Critical Infrastructure like banks, railway services, electricity of the State and threats related to national security using technologies such as Deep web and Dark web analysis, Darknet & Threat Intelligence Feeds, Vulnerability Management, Cyber Threat Intelligence Platform, Malware Analysis and Network Capture Analysis and coordinates with other agencies.
- Security Operations Centre (SOC):
The SOC looks after the security of the MahaCyber from any cyber threats. It 24/7 monitors the infrastructure for any signs of breach or threats and thus aids in early detection and prevention of any further harm.
- Centre of Excellence (COE):
The Centre of Excellence focuses on training the police officials to equip them with desired tools and technologies to deal with cyber threats. The Centre also works on creating awareness about various cyber threats among the citizens of the state.
- Nodal Cyber Police Station:
The Nodal Cyber Police Station works as a focal point for all cybercrime related law enforcement activities. It is responsible for coordinating the investigation procedure and prevention of cybercrimes within the state. Such Cyber Police Stations have been established in each district of Maharashtra.
Funds of Funds to scale up Startups
The government of Maharashtra through the Fund of Funds for Startups scheme has invested in more than 300 startups that align with the objective of cyber security and digital safety. The government is promoting ideas and cyber defence innovation which will help to push the boundaries of traditional cybersecurity tools and improve the State’s ability to tackle cybercrimes. Such partnerships can be a cost-effective solution that proactively promotes a culture of cybersecurity across industries.
Dynamic Cyber Platform
The government of Maharashtra has been working on creating a dynamic cyber platform that would assist them in tackling cybercrimes and save hundreds of crores of rupees in a short span of time. The platform will act as a link between various stakeholders such as banks, Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and social media providers to provide a technology-driven solution to the evolving cybercrimes. As a part of this process, the government has invited tenders and has called top IT companies from the world to participate and aid them in setting up this dynamic cyber platform.
Why Does The Initiative By Maharashtra’s Government Act As A Model For Other States
The components of the Maharashtra Cyber Security Project and the dynamic cyber platform create a comprehensive system which aims at tackling the increasing complexities of cyber threats. The initiative with integration on cutting edge technologies, specialised institutions, expert professionals from various industries and real-time monitoring of cybercrimes sets an example that Maharashtra is well-equipped to prevent, detect and respond to cybercrimes being reported in the State. The project collaborates between government and law enforcement agencies, providing them proper training and addressing grievances of the public. By working on four key areas, i.e. centralised platform for reporting, collaboration between government and private sectors, public awareness and use of advanced technologies, the Cyber Security System in Maharashtra serves as a model for creating secure digital space and tackling cybercrime effectively on a large scale.
Other States in India could certainly adopt similar models and achieve success in curbing cybercrimes. They need to create a dedicated response team consisting of trained personnel, invest in advanced software as used by Maharashtra, foster partnerships with companies or startups involved in AI and technology to build resilient cybersecurity infrastructures. The government of Maharashtra can extend hands to assist other states to establish a model that addresses the evolving cybercrimes efficiently.
References
- https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2003158
- https://mhcyber.gov.in/about-us
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjPw-8afTTw
- https://www.ltts.com/press-release/maharashtra-inaugurates-india-first-integrated-cyber-command-control-center-ltts
- https://theprint.in/india/maharashtra-tackling-evolving-cyber-crimes-through-dynamic-platform-cm/2486772/
- https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/maharashtra-dynamic-cyber-security-platform-in-the-offing-says-fadnavis
