Nashik: Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan on Friday addressed the media regarding morphed images circulating on social media, stating that the photos were altered and confirming that a police complaint had been filed. The images, which surfaced online in the morning, sparked a political stir across various platforms.
Mahajan’s Clarification
“I will clarify this issue soon. I have already registered a complaint in Mumbai. The photos are morphed. I have seen the original selfie pictures, but these have been altered. People seen in the background have been cropped out to make it appear as though only two individuals are in the frame. I have requested a detailed probe, and the truth will come out,” Mahajan said while speaking to the media.
Political Reactions
Amid the controversy, Shiv Sena deputy leader Sushma Andhare also commented on the issue on X, further fuelling discussions across social media platforms. The incident has drawn significant attention from political circles and the public.
Legal Action Taken
A corporator in Jalgaon has registered a complaint in this regard. Jalgaon Superintendent of Police Shrikant Dhivare confirmed that, based on the complaint, a case has been registered at the Jalgaon Cyber police station against a social media account holder. “Fake, AI-generated images of minister Girish Mahajan with objectionable text were created and circulated on social media,” he said.
The case has been registered under sections 356 (criminal defamation) and 3(5) (acts done by several persons with common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act. Inspector Satish Gorade is leading the investigation to identify those responsible for uploading and circulating the allegedly morphed images.
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