Clippings from news bulletins apparently reporting Sonam Wangchuk’s death in the Jodhpur Central Jail have surfaced on social media and are being widely shared across social media platforms.
Some of these purported bulletins are by prominent news anchors while one shows Indian Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi addressing the news at a press conference.
Pakistani propaganda account M. (@Mushk_0) circulated four such videos, alleging India was facing “major and sensitive developments” following the “reports” of the death of renowned Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk while in detention at Jodhpur Central Jail.
Video 1
This is a video depicting a press conference by Indian Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi. He can be heard extending his condolences to Wangchuk’s family. In the clip, he also calls for a “thorough and transparent inquiry”. (Archive)
Following the custodial death of Sonam Wangchuk, Indian Army chief Gen. Upendra Dwivedi offered condolences, now being suppressed by media. Even the Army seems exhausted by Hindutva fascists forcing their own agenda. pic.twitter.com/YOmc5Z3dwK
— M. (@Mushk_0) November 27, 2025
The post has garnered around 201,500 views.
Fact Check
A reverse image search on a keyframe led us to a YouTube video uploaded by WION whose logo is visible on the viral clip. It shows an address by General Upendra Dwivedi where he speaks on Operation Sindoor.
We compared the two frames and found several similarities, indicating that the clip shared by the X user is digitally manipulated. The comparison can be seen below:
On November 27, 2025, speaking at the inaugural session of the third edition of Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2025, General Dwivedi outlined a “set of springboards” intended to guide the army’s long-term transformation, ensuring that the force remains decisive and future-ready in this rapidly evolving global landscape, as reported by the media. He did not make any comment about Wangchuk.
During our investigation, we found the Press Information Bureau (PIB) had officially flagged the clip as an altered video of the General Dwivedi, and clarified that he had made no such statements.
#Pakistani propaganda accounts are circulating a digitally altered video of Chief of the Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, in which he appears to be talking about the custodial death of Sonam Wangchuk.#PIBFactCheck
❌ This #fake video has been created using #AI technology.… pic.twitter.com/dGFUR2m1Kd
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) November 27, 2025
Sonam Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, confirmed to Alt News that she met her husband on November 28, 2025. She said, “he is safe and sound.”
Video 2
This is a video styled as a news bulletin from FirstPost featuring anchor Palki Sharma. She apparently informs the viewers that Wangchuk died inside Jodhpur Central Jail following what authorities describe as a medical collapse. Sharma can be heard mentioning that the supporters of Wangchuk were allegedly raising concerns about him being tortured in custody. (Archive)
Disturbing reports claim Sonam Wangchuk is no longer alive, allegedly tortured in state custody by the Indian government. A viral clip exposing this was taken down minutes after posting. Authorities seem desperate to suppress it & silence Ladakh protests. pic.twitter.com/hQg6Tusecm
— M. (@Mushk_0) November 27, 2025
Fact Check
A reverse image search on a keyframe led us to an episode of the news segment, Vantage, hosted by anchor Palki Sharma on the FirstPost YouTube channel on November 26. In the segment, Sharma does not refer to Sonam Wangchuk or any claim regarding his death. The episode focused on China initiating a call with the US President.
The comparison between the frames of the viral video and the segment shows several similarities between the backdrop and Sharma’s outfit, indicating that the video has been digitally manipulated.
Therefore, the video purporting to show news anchor Palki Sharma reporting on Sonam Wangchuk’s death in custody is a digitally altered deepfake video.
Video 3
Similarly, this video, formatted like an NDTV bulletin featuring anchor Shiv Aroor, shows a ‘report’ on the death of Wangchuk in Jodhpur Central Jail. Aroor said that the officials had cited medical reasons, while his supporters alleged custodial death. (Archive)
Shame on you @ShivAroor. Laughing while the Indian government allegedly mercilessly killed Sonam Wangchuk is beyond disgusting. This is cold-blooded murder, and your casual reaction is appalling. Boycott NDTV. pic.twitter.com/dCbOl9pgzm
— M. (@Mushk_0) November 27, 2025
The video amassed around 164,000 views.
Fact Check
Upon a closer examination of the clip, we noticed a glaring inconsistency: Though the video seeks to display an NDTV bulletin with a logo of the channel, in the background, the AajTak logo remains clearly visible on a glass panel.
A reverse image search led us to the original video uploaded by India Today on their YouTube channel on February 28. In the broadcast, Shiv Aroor announced leaving the channel. He is at present a managing editor at NDTV.
Below is a comparison between a frame from the viral video and the said bulletin:
Because the authentic video is eight months old, it obviously contains no reference to Wangchuk or any claims regarding his death.
Aroor himself also addressed the issue and shared a post on X flagging the video as a manipulation by artificial intelligence.
I love how this deepfake AI video has the NDTV logo but an Aaj Tak studio background from my earlier place of work.
Come on, guys, you can do better 🙂 https://t.co/1ODtHyxTHx
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) November 27, 2025
Hence, it is clear that the video depicting Shiv Aroor reporting on Sonam Wangchuk’s death in custody is fake. It is a digitally manipulated video.
Video 4
The fourth video appears to be an India Today news segment announcing the death of Sonam Wangchuk in custody, with his supporters raising the possibility of custodial killing. The clip claims that Wangchuk’s family complained about “receiving delayed information, denial of immediate access to the body, and the presence of possible injury marks”. (Archive)
The extrajudicial killing of Sonam Wangchuk sparks suspicion as central agencies attempt to suppress the news. Things are grim for Ladakh, this Modi regime has crossed all limits of sanity. pic.twitter.com/KsjWNbA0af
— M. (@Mushk_0) November 27, 2025
Fact Check
A reverse image search led us to an X post made by India Today on November 26. The post includes a segment with anchor Jessica Goel, who reports on Karnataka leader D K Shivakumar’s cryptic message to the high command, “Word power is world power.”
Amid the Karnataka CM race, DK Shivakumar’s cryptic message to the high command — ‘Word power is world power’@sagayrajp with more details#Karnataka #DKShivakumar #Congress | @jessica_goel pic.twitter.com/eNeSoeHVCa
— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) November 26, 2025
In the segment, Goel does not refer to Sonam Wangchuk or any claim regarding his death.
A side-by-side comparison of the two frames from the viral video and the original segment indicates a digital manipulation of the audio. See the comparison below:
Therefore, the video depicting India Today anchor Jessica Goel reporting Sonam Wangchuk’s death in custody is a deepfake.
To sum up, the claims of Wangchuk’s custodial death that are circulating on social media are false and baseless. This was confirmed to Alt News by the activist’s wife, Gitanjali. The videos depicting news bulletins and official press briefings about his death are digitally altered videos.
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