In a significant development from Bihar, the Jan Suraaj Party, led by political strategist Prashant Kishor, has officially severed any connection with a youth from Muzaffarpur who was apprehended by the police for allegedly producing and disseminating fabricated audio and video content of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu using artificial intelligence.
Party's Firm Denial and Police Action
The case came to the forefront after the Muzaffarpur cyber cell arrested the individual on Friday, following which he was sent to judicial custody. Deputy Superintendent of Police (Cyber) Himanshu Kumar confirmed the arrest details on Saturday.
Reacting swiftly to media reports suggesting a potential link between the accused and the party, Jan Suraaj's spokesperson, Rajiv Ranjan, issued a clear denial. "We have no information that such a person is associated with our party. No one by this name is working with Jan Suraaj in the Muzaffarpur district," Ranjan stated. He further emphasized the party's stance, asserting that it does not endorse or promote any activity aimed against the President, the Prime Minister, or any other individual.
Unraveling the AI-Generated Content Racket
According to police investigations, the accused had been engaged in this illicit activity for approximately one and a half years. The primary motive, as cited by the authorities, was financial gain. "The accused was doing this to make money and create confusion," Cyber Dy SP Himanshu Kumar revealed in a statement to the media.
The operation came to light during a probe, where police discovered content linked to the youth on a social media page named '@jansuraajbochaha'. Law enforcement officials have since written to Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, requesting the removal of the identified video. Investigators are currently examining a series of other videos that were allegedly edited and circulated by the same individual.
Serious Implications for National Integrity
The police have framed the charges in a grave manner, highlighting the severe implications of such acts. In an official statement, they noted that the objective behind creating this AI-generated fake content was multifaceted and malicious.
The intent was to mislead the public, damage the dignity and prestige of the country's highest constitutional offices, erode trust in democratic institutions, and negatively impact social harmony and law and order, the police statement elaborated. The accused is charged with misusing the names, images, and voices of the President and the Prime Minister to share fabricated material on social media platforms.
This incident underscores the growing challenge posed by advanced AI tools in the hands of malicious actors, especially during a politically sensitive period. It also puts a spotlight on how political entities are quick to distance themselves from such controversies to safeguard their public image.
