In a significant development highlighting the misuse of artificial intelligence in politics, the Kerala police have registered a case against a senior Congress leader for allegedly circulating a fabricated image of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The image, created using AI tools, falsely depicted the CM alongside an accused in the high-profile Sabarimala gold loss case.
FIR Details and Legal Charges
The accused has been identified as N. Subrahmanian of Karuvattoor, a member of the influential Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Political Affairs Committee. According to the First Information Report (FIR) filed by the Chevayoor police in Kozhikode, Subrahmanian shared the manipulated photograph on his social media platforms. The post included a caption that questioned the nature of the Chief Minister's alleged association with Unnikrishnan Potty, the accused in the Sabarimala gold smuggling case.
Following a preliminary verification, the police confirmed that the photograph was not authentic and was generated using artificial intelligence. Based on this finding, a formal case was registered. The charges invoked are serious: Section 192 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for "wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause a riot," and Section 120(o) of the Kerala Police Act for "causing annoyance through communication."
Investigation Expands to Identify Source
Police authorities have stated that the investigation is progressing on multiple fronts. Officers are actively tracing other individuals who may have shared the same or similar fabricated images across various online platforms. A core part of the probe is dedicated to identifying the original creator and the precise origin of the AI-generated photograph. This move underscores a growing intent by law enforcement to curb the spread of deepfakes and digitally altered content intended to mislead the public and disrupt social harmony.
Political Reactions and Clarifications
The incident has stirred the political landscape in the state. In response to the viral image, the ruling CPI(M) issued a clarification on Thursday, firmly stating that the photograph circulating on social media was fake and fabricated using AI technology. The case brings to the fore the escalating challenge of synthetic media in Indian politics and the legal ramifications for those who weaponize such content.
This legal action against a senior opposition party figure marks a notable step in addressing the malicious use of AI for creating and disseminating defamatory content. It sets a precedent for holding individuals accountable for sharing provacative, computer-generated falsities that have the potential to incite unrest.
