Fact Check: Was Sonam Wanchuk's Arrest Ordered By Defence Minister? PIB Debunks Viral Video Claim

The Centre has debunked a fake video circulating online that claims Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk was arrested on the defence minister's directions "without evidence" following the September 24 Leh protests, In a fact-check, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) flagged the clip with a "Deepfake Alert," clarifying that the video, purportedly showing Ladakh DGP Dr. S.D. Singh making the allegation, was digitally altered."The DGP Ladakh has made NO such statement," PIB's Fact Check Unit said, sharing a link to the original, unedited video.It further cautioned, "Beware of AI-generated videos circulated with the intent to mislead, create panic, and confuse the public. Always verify before sharing."The bureau also urged citizens to report such misleading

content via WhatsApp [phone]) or email ([e-mail]).

Why was Sonam Wangchuk Arrested?

Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) on Friday, two days after protests demanding Sixth Schedule status and statehood for Ladakh turned violent in Leh. The unrest left four people dead and nearly 90 injured. Wangchuk was moved out of Ladakh and is currently lodged in a prison in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.In a late-night statement, the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Ladakh, said Wangchuk's detention was necessary to restore normalcy in the "peace-loving" region."Today, on September 26, Wangchuk of Uley Tokpo village of Leh has been detained under NSA. Time and again it has been observed that Wangchuk has been indulging in activities prejudicial to the security of the state and detrimental to maintenance of peace and public order and services essential to the community," the statement said.Wangchuk's series of speeches and videos, including references to the Nepal agitation and the Arab Spring, misled people and triggered the September 24 violence, it said.