Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has made claims that a widely circulated image showing a “student being gripped by the face” was artificially created using artificial intelligence (AI). However, investigations by RumorScanner.com have confirmed that the photo is genuine and that DMP’s statement is misleading, labeling the claims as part of a “false propaganda” campaign.
DMP had posted on its official Facebook page and website, stating that the controversial photo of Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Ramna Division Mohammad Masud Alam gripping a student’s face was fabricated using AI technology.
In the DMP’s announcement, it expressed strong condemnation, claiming that the image and the spread of misinformation were designed to create confusion about the actions of a responsible police officer. It urged the public not to fall for such “false propaganda.”
The incident in question took place on Wednesday when students from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) began their “Long March to Dhaka” rally, which was part of a pre-announced protest with three demands. Around 1:30pm, as they started their march towards the official residence of the Chief Advisor Professor Mohammad Yunus, violence erupted near the InterContinental Hotel. The police clashed with the protesters, using batons, sound grenades, tear gas, and water cannons to disperse the crowd. The confrontation resulted in injuries to at least 60 students, while some police officers were also reported injured.
Following the violent crackdown, the protesting students demanded the dismissal of DC Masud Alam, accusing him of excessive force during the protest.
Later that night, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajjat Ali visited the students at Shahbagh to apologise for the police actions and express regret.
The next day, however, DMP’s official Facebook page and website circulated the AI-generated claim again, continuing the confusion about the photo involving DC Masud Alam.
Fact-checking by RumorScanner confirmed that the image of DC Masud Alam holding a student’s face was indeed authentic. Their analysis found no evidence of AI manipulation in the image. Furthermore, RumorScanner contacted the original photojournalist who captured the image and verified the authenticity of the photo. Multiple mainstream media outlets also published different versions of the same image, confirming its legitimacy.
The findings contradict the DMP’s narrative and suggest that the police’s claims are part of a deliberate effort to mislead the public.