AAP Faces FIR from Delhi Police Over AI Videos Targeting PM Modi and Amit Shah on Twitter Before Upcoming Polls
AAP Faces FIR from Delhi Police Over AI Videos Targeting PM Modi and Amit Shah on Twitter Before Upcoming Polls.
In Delhi, AI is being harnessed to create compelling narratives that can sway public opinion, challenge the authority of governing bodies, and mislead the public. The Delhi Police have filed several FIRs against AAP for posting AI-generated videos and images that target PM Modi and Amit Shah in the lead-up to the 2025 Assembly elections.
Five first information reports (FIRs) were lodged against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in New Delhi on Monday. Four of these FIRs were related to the uploading of AI-generated videos and photos of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and other BJP leaders. The fifth FIR specifically names AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal for making “provocative statements” against Purvanchalis.
In the FIR involving Kejriwal, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann were also mentioned. The complaint, filed by a member of the BJP election cell, accuses the AAP leaders of making “false, inflammatory, provocative, and discriminatory statements” against the people of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh (Purvanchalis), claiming they conspired to incite tensions between communities.
The complaint alleges that during a media address on January 9, Kejriwal claimed that 13,000 fake voter applications had been submitted in a constituency of just 100,000 people, insinuating that these were being added by “bringing people from UP and Bihar.” According to the FIR, Kejriwal referred to Purvanchalis as “fake voters” and accused them of being a “burden on Delhi’s healthcare and education.” The FIR charges the AAP leaders under BNS sections 196 (promoting enmity between groups) and 3 (5) (common intention), describing their remarks as inflammatory and socially disruptive.
The other four FIRs involve spoof videos and AI-generated photos that AAP’s social media handles shared. A member of the BJP election cell filed these complaints, accusing AAP of spreading falsehoods and defaming senior BJP leaders.
One FIR targets the X handle “AAPkaRamGupta” for posting a doctored image of Modi wearing an expensive watch, with captions suggesting he has luxurious rooms for his watches, shoes, and pens. This FIR is lodged under BNS sections 318 (cheating), 336 (forgery to cheat and harm reputation), 340 (forged document), and 61 (criminal conspiracy).
Another FIR focuses on a spoof video featuring Amit Shah and BJP Delhi chief Virendra Sachdeva. This video, styled like a Hindi film clip, is alleged to defame Shah and spread misinformation. The FIR cites BNS sections 175 (false statement related to an election), 192 (provocation with intent to cause a riot), 352 (intentional insult to provoke a breach of peace), and 356 (defamation).
A separate FIR was filed against AAP’s official X handle for a series of posts titled “Fakiri Bohot Mehenga Shauk Hai,” which allegedly feature images of Modi with captions claiming that his official residence is worth ₹2,700 crore, his official plane ₹8,400 crore, his official car ₹12 crore, and his pen ₹1.3 lakh.
The FIR claims that these posts were designed to disseminate false information and mislead the public. The charges include cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy.
Additionally, the final FIR accuses AAP’s X handle of sharing a morphed photo of Amit Shah with a caption suggesting that the BJP only interacts with the Muslim community during elections. The complaint characterizes this post as derogatory and intended to incite communal tensions. This FIR has been registered under sections related to making false statements during elections, forgery, and provocation with the intent to cause a riot.
An AAP spokesperson dismissed the FIRs, labeling them as a political tactic by the BJP as the elections draw near. “This is the BJP’s typical approach—filing false cases to distract from real issues. Soon, they will target CM Atishi and Manish Sisodia with arrests and raids as part of their political vendetta,” the spokesperson stated. The party also accused BJP leaders of tampering with voter lists by adding fake entries and removing legitimate voters. “No FIR will be filed against BJP leaders who are openly involved in such illegal activities,” the spokesperson added.
In May 2024, the Election Commission of India (ECI) instructed political parties to eliminate deepfake content within three hours of notification, warning that those using doctored media could face charges related to identity theft, forgery, and impersonation. The ECI also banned parties from disseminating manipulated content through social media. Despite multiple inquiries, the ECI did not respond regarding the use of AI in the current election cycle.
The FIRs were filed following complaints made at the North Avenue police station and other locations by BJP office secretary Brijesh Rai and members of the BJP election cell. The BJP has asserted that the posts and videos shared by AAP were intentionally fabricated to spread misinformation and tarnish its leaders’ reputations ahead of the Delhi elections.
As the political conflict escalates, AAP stands firm, claiming that the BJP is employing legal harassment to weaken its chances in the elections. The Delhi elections, already marked by tension, have turned into a contentious political struggle filled with legal disputes, claims of misinformation, and controversies surrounding deepfakes. With both parties engaged in intense rivalry, the results of these elections could have a major impact on the political scene leading up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
