AI/Deepfake # Did Army Chief Announce Sonam Wangchuk’s ‘Custodial Death’? No, Viral Video Is Doctored Written By [Vasudha Beri](https://newschecker.in/author/vasudha/1), Edited ByKushel Madhusoodan [AI/Deepfake](https://newschecker.in/ai-deepfake/1) [Fact Check](https://newschecker.in/fact-check/1) [Viral](https://newschecker.in/fact-check/viral/1) Nov 29, 2025 ![banner_image](https://newschecker.dietpixels.net/2025/11/New-Cover-Vausdha-2025-11-29T122242.201.jpg?quality=71&format=webp&w=1920) * * * ## Claim ![image](https://newschecker.dietpixels.net/main/img/cross.svg?quality=71&format=webp&w=64) Video shows General Upendra Dwivedi announcing the death of jailed activist Sonam Wangchuk. ## Fact ![image](https://newschecker.dietpixels.net/main/img/tick.svg?quality=71&format=webp&w=64) The video is manipulated. General Dwivedi made no such statement, and there are no credible reports of Sonam Wangchuk’s death. A [video](https://archive.ph/blO2v) circulating online claims that Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi expressed “deep regret at the passing of Sonam Wangchuk while he was in state custody.” The activist was arrested under the National Security Act following violent clashes in Ladakh on September 24. ![ Viral Clip Showing General Dwivedi announcing Sonam Wangchuk’s ‘Death’ is Doctored ](https://newschecker.dietpixels.net/2025/11/s1-1.jpg)Screengrab from X post by @Mushk\_0 **Also Read:** [Fake Screenshot Falsely Claims Gautam Gambhir Announced Resignation As Team India Head Coach](https://newschecker.in/fact-check/fake-screenshot-falsely-claims-gautam-gambhir-announced-resignation-as-team-india-head-coach) ## Evidence ### **No Credible Reports of Wangchuk’s Death or Army Chief’s Statement** Searches for keywords such as “Sonam Wangchuk death” and “Army Chief” returned no reliable reports. Additionally, no announcement regarding Wangchuk’s death appears on the X account of his wife, [Gitanjali Angmo](https://x.com/GitanjaliAngmo). ### **Original Video Shows a Different Context** A reverse image search led to a YouTube video by [WION](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzVMZ9xn1ZY), whose watermark is seen in the viral footage, dated November 27, 2025, showing General Dwivedi at the Chanakya Defence Dialogue. In this original clip, he speaks about reforms and readiness during Operation Sindoor, not about Wangchuk. ![ Viral Clip Showing General Dwivedi announcing Sonam Wangchuk’s ‘Death’ is Doctored ](https://newschecker.dietpixels.net/2025/11/s2-1.jpg)Screengrab from YouTube video by WION The full l [ivestream](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeBRS7i1_nk&t=2s) of his address also contains no mention of the activist. [WION](https://x.com/WIONews/status/1994077263189692577) later confirmed on X that it “has not produced, aired, or posted this video”, disowning the viral clip. ### **Signs of AI Manipulation** Closer examination revealed smudging around the Army Chief’s mouth and the audio did not match his usual speech pattern or tone. Multiple AI-detection tools flagged the audio as fake: - Hiya Deepfake Voice Detector: Likely deepfake - [Resemble AI](https://detect.resemble.ai/results/0e5779c748e60f0c128ec150e645ebf0): Fake - [Deepfake-o-meter](https://zinc.cse.buffalo.edu/ubmdfl/deep-o-meter/report_index_dynamic/vasudha@ncmn.in_2025-11-29-00:04:46?has_audio_stream=False): 4 out of 5 detectors indicated high AI likelihood ![](https://newschecker.dietpixels.net/2025/11/s3.jpg)(L-R) Screengrabs from Hiya Deepfake Voice Detector and Deepfake-o-meter ### **PIB Fact Check Debunks the Claim** Terming the video as “fake,” the Government’s [PIB Fact Check](https://x.com/PIBFactCheck/status/1994060764907491353) unit confirmed that “The Chief of the Army Staff has made NO such statement.” **Also Read:** [No, COAS General Dwivedi Did Not Say Arunachal Should Be Given to China](https://newschecker.in/ai-deepfake/coas-general-dwivedi-did-not-say-arunachal-should-be-given-to-china) ## Verdict The viral video is AI-manipulated, and the claim about General Upendra Dwivedi expressing regret over Sonam Wangchuk’s “death” is completely false. ## FAQs **Q1. Did the Army Chief comment on Sonam Wangchuk’s death?** No. The Army Chief made no such statement, and there is no report of Wangchuk’s death. **Q2. Is Sonam Wangchuk alive?** Yes. There are no credible reports suggesting otherwise. **Q3. How do we know the video is manipulated?** AI-detection tools flagged the audio as fake, and visual distortions indicated mouth-area tampering. **Q4. Did WION publish the viral video?** No. WION confirmed that it did not create, air, or upload the video. **Sources** YouTube Video By [WION](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzVMZ9xn1ZY), Dated November 27, 2025 X Post By [WION](https://x.com/WIONews/status/1994077263189692577), Dated November 27, 2025 X Post By [PIB Fact Check](https://x.com/PIBFactCheck/status/1994060764907491353), Dated November 27, 2025 [Resemble AI](https://detect.resemble.ai/results/0e5779c748e60f0c128ec150e645ebf0) Website [Deepfake-o-meter](https://zinc.cse.buffalo.edu/ubmdfl/deep-o-meter/report_index_dynamic/vasudha@ncmn.in_2025-11-29-00:04:46?has_audio_stream=False) Website Hiya Deepfake Voice Detector * * * RESULT ![image](https://newschecker.dietpixels.net/main/post-result/altered-photo-video_1726664344.svg?quality=71&format=webp&w=128)Altered Photo/Video [AI](https://newschecker.in/tag/ai-4/1) [Fact Check](https://newschecker.in/tag/fact-check-bn-2/1) [General Upendra Dwivedi](https://newschecker.in/tag/general-upendra-dwivedi/1) [Indian army](https://newschecker.in/tag/indian-army/1) [Sonam Wangchuk](https://newschecker.in/tag/sonam-wangchuk-2/1) ![image](https://newschecker.dietpixels.net/main/img/article-footer.svg?quality=71&format=webp&w=640) If you would like us to fact check a claim, give feedback or lodge a complaint WhatsApp us at [+91-9999499044](tel:+9999499044) or email us at [checkthis@newschecker.in](mailto:checkthis@newschecker.in) ​. 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