31 March,2026 02:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra Minister and NCP leader Narhari Zirwal. File Pic
Mumbai Police have registered a case against the brother of a transperson, seen in a viral video with Maharashtra Minister and NCP leader Narhari Zirwal, for allegedly circulating of an alleged Artificial Intelligence (AI), doctored video, an official said on Tuesday, PTI reported.
A viral video which first appeared online last week, showed Zirwal with a transperson. The objectionable and obscene video quickly went viral, sparking a controversy.
The purported video allegedly showed the Minister of Food and Drug Administration in a compromising position with a transperson at his official residence.
The transperson lodged a police complaint a few days ago, alleging that several videos of her had been recorded months earlier and were doctored using artificial intelligence technology, the official said, the PTI reported.
According to the complaint, the transperson's brother allegedly made the video viral as part of a blackmail attempt and demanded money or a job in the minister's department.
Following the circulation of the doctored video, the transperson approached the Cuffe Parade police station and filed a complaint.
The police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act, the official added, noting that further investigation is underway.
Earlier, the NCP minister said the viral video was doctored using two clips, and the CM had ordered a probe
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, speaking to the media, mentioned that Zirwal called him to explain his side. "We will verify the video. If found guilty, action will be taken," the chief minister said. Zirwal, MLA from Dindori, landed in controversy after an objectionable video allegedly showing a trans person in his room went viral.
Zirwal, who holds the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) portfolio in the Mahayuti government, had made a phone call to Fadnavis, claiming the clip was misleading and was created by stitching together two different videos.
The controversy has mounted pressure on the NCP to take action against the minister, as this is not the first time the party MLA and minister is in the eye of a storm. Last month, an FDA clerk was caught red-handed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) while allegedly accepting a bribe, triggering a political storm in Maharashtra. Immediately after the arrest, Zirwal denied any involvement in the case and distanced himself from the actions of his department staff.
(With PTI inputs)
