Centre Denies Deepfake Video Claiming Ladakh DGP Linked Sonam Wangchuk Arrest To Defence Minister

The Press Information Bureau’s Fact Check wing has exposed a digitally altered video that falsely attributed controversial remarks to Ladakh’s Director General of Police, Dr SD Singh.

The manipulated clip circulating on social media claimed that the Defence Minister had ordered the arrest of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk.

To counter misinformation, the PIB released the original footage from Singh’s press briefing, proving that he had made no such statement.

“DGP Ladakh has made NO such statement,” the government clarified on X.

Arrest of Sonam Wangchuk

Authorities arrested Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA) and transferred him to Jodhpur Jail. The police chief told reporters that the activist was booked for inciting violence during unrest in Leh on September 24.

That day, clashes left four people dead and more than 70 injured. Security personnel also suffered injuries from stone pelting and mob attacks.

Officials revealed that rioters torched a CRPF vehicle, allegedly attempting to burn alive the personnel inside, and set fire to the local BJP office, the Leh Apex Body office, and other vehicles. The mob smashed the DGP’s car, and Singh narrowly escaped with minor injuries.

The Leh administration imposed a curfew on September 24, which has remained in place with limited relaxation.

On Tuesday, residents experienced a four-hour reprieve between 10 AM and 2 PM. Meanwhile, a Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) delegation reached Leh to engage with local representatives.

At a press conference, Leh Apex Body chairman Thupstan Chhewang declared that leaders would halt dialogue until they addressed Ladakh’s ‘atmosphere of fear, grief and anger’.

Leaders from both the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance reiterated that statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule remain ‘non-negotiable’ demands. They also called for the unconditional release of Wangchuk and other detained youths.

Responding to these concerns, the MHA reaffirmed on Monday that dialogue is the only path forward and stressed its commitment to ongoing engagement with local stakeholders.

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