Kerala Police has initiated a formal investigation into the creation and circulation of a fabricated video featuring Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar. The case was registered following a complaint from the Chief Electoral Officer's office in the state capital.
Police Investigation Launched
The Kerala Police registered the case under Section 419 and 420 of the Indian Penal Code, which deal with cheating by personation and cheating respectively. Additionally, the case includes charges under Section 66D of the Information Technology Act, addressing cheating by personation using computer resources.
According to police sources, the complaint was filed by the Chief Electoral Officer, Kerala, highlighting concerns about the potential misuse of such fabricated content to mislead the public and undermine the credibility of constitutional institutions.
Nature of the Fabricated Content
The controversial video, which has been circulating on various social media platforms, shows a digitally manipulated version of Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar making statements he never actually made. The original video appears to have been doctored using advanced editing tools to create a false narrative.
Election Commission officials have confirmed that the CEC never made the statements attributed to him in the viral video. The Commission has been actively working to counter misinformation and ensure the integrity of the electoral process remains uncompromised.
Official Response and Actions
In an official statement, the Election Commission of India condemned the creation and distribution of the fake video, calling it a malicious attempt to tarnish the institution's reputation. The Commission has urged the public to verify information through official channels before sharing content on social media.
Kerala Police has assured that the investigation will be pursued vigorously to identify and apprehend those responsible for creating and circulating the deceptive content. Cyber crime specialists have been assigned to the case to trace the origin of the video and identify the perpetrators.
This incident highlights the growing challenge of deepfake technology and manipulated media in the digital age, particularly during sensitive periods like election seasons. Authorities have warned that creating and sharing such content could have serious legal consequences.
