Gujarat AAP Leaders Booked in Cybercrime Case Over Alleged Fabricated Audio Clip
The Surendranagar cybercrime police in Gujarat have officially registered a case against multiple Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders following a formal complaint by former party member Raju Karpada. The complaint alleges that a fabricated audio clip was deliberately circulated to damage Karpada's reputation through defamatory content.
Details of the Complaint and Accused Leaders
The accused include prominent AAP figures such as Gujarat state spokesperson Karan Barot, along with Vipul Thakor and Swayam Salvi. The complaint was filed by 37-year-old Raju Karpada, a resident of Dudhai village in Muli taluka, who recently resigned from the AAP after serving as an active member.
Karpada stated that he discovered the alleged defamation during a press conference addressed by the accused leaders on Saturday. During this event, an audio clip was played that purportedly contained conversations suggesting Karpada had been in contact with a BJP leader, planned to join the BJP, and had betrayed farmers' interests.
Allegations of Fabrication and Technological Manipulation
In his complaint, Karpada vehemently denied the authenticity of the recording, calling the allegations "baseless and meaningless." He asserted that the voice in the audio clip was not his and suggested that electronic devices or artificial intelligence technology might have been used to fabricate the content.
The fabricated clip was allegedly shared on the party's official social media platforms and specifically on Karan Barot's personal Facebook account, which Karpada claims caused significant damage to his personal and political reputation within the community.
Background of Political Activism and Previous Arrests
This incident follows a period of political activism involving Karpada and other AAP leaders. They had previously led protests against the alleged Kadada practice in Botad district. These protests escalated when incidents of stone-pelting at police personnel were reported in Haddad village.
As a result of these disturbances, Karpada and several other protesters were arrested and spent over three months in jail. The recent resignation of Karpada from the AAP last week was accompanied by additional allegations against party leaders, though specific details were not disclosed in the police report.
Ongoing Police Investigation
Local authorities have confirmed that the cybercrime case is currently under active investigation. Police officials stated they are examining the technical aspects of the audio clip, including the possibility of artificial intelligence manipulation, as well as the circumstances surrounding its distribution on social media platforms.
The case highlights growing concerns about the use of technology in political defamation and the legal implications of circulating potentially fabricated content during election seasons and political conflicts.
