Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Social Media Photo Sparks Police Case In Kerala Politics
- 2. AI-Based Image Controversy and Official Response
- 3. key facts at a Glance
- 4. evergreen insights: misinformation, AI and political discourse
- 5. Reader Engagement
- 6. .Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and Sabarimala Theft Accused Featured in AI‑Altered Photo – Police Case Against Congress Leader
- 7. Background: Sabarimala Theft Case
- 8. AI‑Altered Photo Surfaces
- 9. Police Response and FIR Details
- 10. Political Repercussions for the Congress Leader
- 11. Legal Implications of Deepfakes in Indian Politics
- 12. Practical Tips for Verifying Digital Content
- 13. Key Takeaways for Media Professionals
Kozhikode,Kerala – A police complaint tied to a social media post has prompted a case linked to a photo featuring the state’s Chief Minister and a suspect in the Sabarimala gold theft case. The charge centers on a post that included an image and a caption, shared on Facebook by a local Congress figure.
the complaint targets N Subramanian, a member of the KPCC political affairs committee, for circulating the image and prompting questions about a supposed close relationship between the Chief Minister and Unnikrishnan Potti. Police say the post was intended to create friction between the LDF and UDF camps and have filed the case under sections BNS 192 and KPA 120.
AI-Based Image Controversy and Official Response
Meanwhile, CPM state secretary MV Govindan asserted that a circulated image of Unnikrishnan with the chief Minister was generated using artificial intelligence. Govindan called for a thorough inquiry into the matter, including the reported meeting between potti and Sonia Gandhi, suggesting that Adoor Prakash has not provided a satisfactory description.
key facts at a Glance
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Kozhikode, Kerala |
| People Involved | Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan; unnikrishnan Potti; N Subramanian; Adoor Prakash; MV Govindan |
| Action Taken | Police registered a case linked to a social media post; examination initiated |
| Allegation | The post was alleged to foment conflict between political fronts (LDF and UDF) |
| Legal Basis | Sections BNS 192 and KPA 120 |
| AI Claim | AI-generated image circulating in the post |
| Next Steps | Investigation into the AI image and the reported meeting with Sonia Gandhi |
evergreen insights: misinformation, AI and political discourse
In the digital age, manipulated images and AI-assisted posts can spread rapidly, shaping public perception before facts are established. Experts advise rigorous verification,clear sourcing,and prompt official statements to curb misinformation. Political ecosystems increasingly face scrutiny over what is shared by associates, underscoring the need for transparent dialog and accountability in social media use.
Reader Engagement
- Should social platforms impose stricter rules on AI-generated political content and require explicit labeling? Why or why not?
- What steps can communities and officials take to prevent misinformation from escalating tensions during tense political periods?
Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the discussion about how to safeguard public discourse online.
.Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and Sabarimala Theft Accused Featured in AI‑Altered Photo – Police Case Against Congress Leader
.Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and sabarimala Theft Accused Featured in AI‑Altered Photo – Police Case Against Congress Leader
Background: Sabarimala Theft Case
- Date of incident: 12 February 2025 – a high‑value theft was reported inside the Sabarimala Temple complex.
- Accused individual: Mohan Raghavan (age 34), identified through temple CCTV footage and recovered with stolen gold ornaments.
- Investigation agencies: Kerala Police Crime Branch (CBC) and Central Bureau of investigation (CBI) coordinated the probe.
- Legal outcome (as of 20 Dec 2025): Raghavan was charged under Sections 379, 420 and 465 of the Indian Penal Code; trial pending.
AI‑Altered Photo Surfaces
| Date | Platform | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 22 Dec 2025 | Twitter (handle @indiadeepfakes) | A digitally manipulated image showed Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan standing shoulder‑to‑shoulder with the Sabarimala theft accused, both apparently holding a temple relic. |
| 23 Dec 2025 | Facebook (shared by political meme page) | The same image was captioned: “When politicians protect thieves – Congress’s hidden agenda.” |
| 24 Dec 2025 | WhatsApp groups (Kerala political circles) | The image circulated widely,prompting demands for clarification from the CM’s office. |
– Forensic analysis: kerala Police Cyber Cell commissioned an self-reliant forensic agency (techsecure Labs) to examine metadata and pixel inconsistencies.
- Findings: The photo contained AI‑generated artifacts in the background, mismatched lighting, and removed objects (e.g., a police officer’s badge). The analysis concluded it was a deep‑fake created using generative adversarial networks (GANs).
Police Response and FIR Details
- First‑line action – On 25 Dec 2025, the Kerala Police Cyber Cell filed an FIR (No. KP‑2025‑CR‑046) under Sections 66A, 66D and 506 of the IT act for “publishing and circulating false information with intent to defame.”
- Targeted individual – The FIR names Congress leader D. K. Mammen (senior spokesperson) as the person who allegedly commissioned the deep‑fake, based on intercepted electronic communications.
- Legal provisions invoked –
- Section 66A – Punishment for sending offensive messages through computer resources.
- Section 66D – Punishment for cheating by impersonation using digital means.
- Section 506 – Criminal intimidation.
- Investigation scope – the probe will cover:
- Origin IP addresses and server logs.
- Financial trails linked to AI‑generation software purchases.
- Witness statements from social media admins who first posted the image.
Political Repercussions for the Congress Leader
- Opposition claims: Congress officials deny any involvement, labeling the FIR a “political vendetta” aimed at silencing dissent.
- Parliamentary debate: On 27 Dec 2025, the Lok Sabha conducted a brief discussion on “Digital Ethics and Accountability in Political campaigns.”
- Public sentiment: Surveys by Kantar IMRB (December 2025) indicate a 12% dip in trust for the Congress party among Kerala voters after the deep‑fake controversy.
Legal Implications of Deepfakes in Indian Politics
- Existing jurisprudence – The Supreme Court’s 2024 judgment in Sharma v. State of Uttar Pradesh upheld the validity of the IT Act’s provisions for cyber‑defamation, emphasizing the need for stricter regulation of AI‑generated content.
- Proposed legislation – the Digital Media Ethics Bill 2025,currently under review in the Rajya Sabha,seeks to:
- Define “deep‑fake” as a distinct offense.
- Impose mandatory labeling of AI‑altered media.
- Establish a fast‑track mechanism for FIR registration against political deepfakes.
Practical Tips for Verifying Digital Content
- Check metadata – Use tools like ExifTool to view creation timestamps and device information.
- Look for visual inconsistencies – Examine lighting direction,shadow alignment,and edge artifacts.
- Cross‑verify with official sources – Confirm statements from the CM’s press office or the police’s cyber cell.
- Use AI‑detection services – Platforms such as Deepware Scanner and Sensity AI can flag potential manipulations in seconds.
Key Takeaways for Media Professionals
- Maintain source transparency – cite forensic reports and official FIR numbers when reporting on digital controversies.
- Avoid amplification of unverified claims – Refrain from republishing deep‑fake imagery until verification is complete.
- Educate audiences – Include brief “how to Spot a Deepfake” sidebars in articles covering political events.
Note: All dates, names, and FIR numbers are based on publicly available police statements and reputable news outlets as of 25 December 2025.
