Archive · 29 Aug 2026
Hyderabad Police Book Two Over Gandhi Family Deepfake Videos
Police in Hyderabad are investigating two X accounts accused of sharing fake and obscene videos.
The videos allegedly used the faces or identities of members of the Gandhi family.
The people named include Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.
Congress leader Venkat Balmoor filed the complaint.
He said the posts could spread false and inflammatory information.
Police registered a case under technology and criminal laws.
The Indian Youth Congress condemned the posts, especially because they targeted women leaders.
The two account holders have been accused, but the investigation is still continuing.
The reports give different dates for the registration: August 27 in one account and August 28, 2026, in another.
Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police registered a case against two X account holders over allegedly obscene deepfake videos.
The videos allegedly targeted Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.
The accounts were identified as Bharat Matrix (@xBharat) and Bhaskar Shastri (@Bhajos1S97051).
Telangana Congress MLC Venkat Balmoor alleged the posts spread misinformation and inflammatory content and requested an investigation.
The case was filed under relevant Information Technology Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions, with further investigation underway.
- Who
- Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police, complainant Venkat Balmoor, and the X accounts Bharat Matrix and Bhaskar Shastri are involved; the alleged targets were Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.
- What
- A case was registered over allegedly obscene deepfake videos and related misinformation posted on X.
- When
- The reports say the case was registered on August 27 or August 28, 2026.
- Where
- At the Cyber Crime Police Station in Hyderabad, Telangana.
- Why
- The complaint alleged that the posts targeted Congress leaders and spread misinformation and inflammatory content.
- Accused accounts
- Bharat Matrix (@xBharat) and Bhaskar Shastri (@Bhajos1S97051)
- Alleged targets
- Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi
- Complainant
- Venkat Balmoor, Telangana Congress party MLC
- Investigating authority
- Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police
- Allegations
- Posting obscene deepfake videos and contributing to misinformation and inflammatory content
- Legal provisions
- Relevant sections of the Information Technology Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
- Investigation status
- Further investigation is underway
