Mangaluru man held for sharing AI-manipulated video to incite communal disharmony
Mangaluru (Karnataka) (PTI): A 38-year-old man was arrested for allegedly sharing an AI-manipulated video on social media with the intent to incite communal disharmony, police said on Monday.
The accused was identified as Mohammed Rafeeq, a resident of Badagabellur village in Bantwal taluk of Dakshina Kannada district, they said.
According to police, the video was shared in October 2025 from a Facebook account named “Nazir Mangaluru”. The content was allegedly morphed using artificial intelligence tools and circulated to provoke communal hatred.
Based on a complaint, a case was registered at Kankanady Town Police Station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Sections 196 (promoting enmity between different groups), 353(1) (making, publishing, or circulating false statements, rumours, or information) and 351(2) (criminal intimidation).
During the investigation, police traced the account to Rafeeq and arrested him in Bengaluru on March 22.
He was later produced before a court, which remanded him to 15 days of judicial custody, a senior police officer said.
Police said strict action is being taken against the spread of misinformation and hate content on social media platforms.
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345 Indian fishermen stranded in Iran return home via Armenia
New Delhi (PTI): A group of 345 Indian fishermen, who were stranded in Iran amid escalating regional tensions, returned to India via Armenia on Saturday, officials said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan for assistance in return of the Indian nationals.
The Indian nationals arrived in Chennai this evening, the officials cited above said.
The circumstances that led to them being stranded in Iran were not immediately known.
"Thank FM @AraratMirzoyan and the Government of Armenia for facilitating the evacuation of Indian fishermen today from Iran, through Armenia to India," Jaishankar said on social media.
Over 1,500 Indian nationals have left Iran through land border crossings in Armenia and Azerbaijan since the start of the West Asia conflict over a month ago.
"A group of Indian fishermen, stranded in Iran, are returning home via Armenia today; their flight is expected to reach India this evening," a government statement said.
It said the Ministry of External Affairs continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in the West Asian region, with the safety, security and welfare of the Indian community being accorded the highest priority.
It also made a mention of five Indians being injured in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
According to Abu Dhabi authorities, the Indian nationals were among the 12 people injured by debris from an intercepted missile.
"In an attack in Abu Dhabi, five Indian nationals were injured; four have been discharged, one remains under treatment," the Indian government's statement said.
It said the Indian mission in Abu Dhabi is extending "full" assistance and coordinating with local authorities, adding that their flight is expected to reach India this evening.
