In a significant development highlighting the misuse of artificial intelligence, the Uttarakhand cybercrime cell in Dehradun has initiated legal action against unknown individuals for creating and circulating a deepfake video connected to the high-profile Rishikesh resort murder case.
Complaint Leads to FIR Registration
The case was formally registered on Thursday based on a complaint filed by a local trader from Raipur area in Dehradun. The complainant informed the police that he encountered the objectionable and misleading video on a social media platform.
Inspector Asheesh Gussain, the investigating officer, stated that the video allegedly misused the names, faces, and voices of the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister. "The video contains objectionable dialogues and is misleading, besides spreading false information," Gussain elaborated.
Stringent Legal Provisions Invoked
Acting on the trader's complaint, the police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) under multiple sections of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act. The specific charges include:
- BNS Section 196: Promoting enmity between different groups.
- BNS Section 197: Making imputations prejudicial to national integration.
- BNS Section 356: Defamation.
Relevant provisions of the IT Act have also been added to the case, given the digital nature of the offence.
Manhunt for 'Unidentified Persons' Underway
The police have classified the accused as "unidentified persons" and have launched a probe to trace the origin of the video and the accounts used to share it. "Efforts are on to identify those behind the video as soon as possible," Inspector Gussain confirmed.
This incident underscores the growing challenge law enforcement faces with AI-generated synthetic media being used to spread disinformation, especially around sensitive criminal investigations. The use of deepfake technology to impersonate high-ranking officials adds a serious dimension to the crime, potentially aimed at influencing public perception or creating social discord.
