Assam CM files ₹500 crore defamation suit over AI-generated video
Assam CM files ₹500 crore defamation suit over AI-generated video
Assam Chief Minister files a ₹500 crore defamation case against Congress leaders amid an AI-video controversy that sparked complaints and political backlash.
Ahead of the 126-member Assam Assembly elections, a high-stakes political clash has escalated from social media to the courts. On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma filed a ₹500 crore defamation suit against three Congress leaders — Jorhat MP Gaurav Gogoi among them — for allegedly making false and defamatory remarks during a press conference. He posted the move on X, framing it as a stand against baseless allegations aimed at harming his reputation.
In a parallel development, two Congress legislators, Sibamoni Bora and Diganta Barman, lodged a police complaint with Guwahati’s Dispur police station over an AI-generated video that depicted the Chief Minister firing at Muslims in a hypothetical scenario. The video, circulated by the BJP’s Assam unit on social media, carried overlaid text that included phrases such as “foreigner-free Assam,” “No mercy,” and “There is no forgiveness to Bangladeshis,” which the complainants say could incite communal tension.
The defamation suit names Congress leaders including Jitendra Singh, Bhupesh Baghel, and Debabrata Saikia as respondents, along with Gogoi, arguing that the content was highly provocative and aimed at spreading misinformation. The case underscores the fragile political climate in Assam as parties gear up for elections likely in April. Gogoi has countered with threats to sue Sarma, accusing the CM of being trapped by a mounting narrative against him.
Separately, the controversy has drawn attention from other political actors and the judiciary. Earlier, CPI(M) leaders sought an FIR and a SIT probe into the video, and the Supreme Court agreed to urgently hear that plea. While the courtroom actions unfold, the online dispute continues to shape the public discourse around identity, security, and political rhetoric in Assam.
