The Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have registered cases against Meta India head Arun Srinivas and the operators of several Facebook and Instagram accounts over the alleged circulation of AI-generated, morphed and objectionable content targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the recent student protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
The FIRs were registered following complaints filed by S. Aravind Reddy, a 29-year-old businessman, and T. Saikiran Goud, a BJP activist from Telangana. The complainants alleged that while browsing Instagram, they came across multiple digitally manipulated videos and images portraying the Prime Minister in an obscene, derogatory and misleading manner.
According to the complaints, the posts were accompanied by abusive comments that ridiculed the Prime Minister and encouraged wider circulation of the content.
“The comments contain offensive language, ridicule, and indecent remarks directed at the Hon’ble Prime Minister and other individuals depicted in the manipulated content, thereby amplifying the offensive nature of the posts and encouraging their wider circulation and engagement. The above content appears to have been digitally altered or AI-generated and circulated on social media,” the complaints stated.
The complainants further alleged that the content could mislead the public and disturb public order.
“Such content has the potential to mislead the public, spread misinformation, incite hatred or public unrest, outrage public decency, defame or insult the dignity of public figures, disturb public order, promote hostility among different sections of society, and otherwise violate the applicable provisions of law,” they said.
Probe into Meta’s safeguards
Police said the investigation covers both the creators and distributors of the alleged AI-generated content as well as Meta’s role in preventing its circulation on Facebook and Instagram. Investigators are examining whether the company’s existing content moderation safeguards were adequate and are tracing the origin and spread of the disputed posts.
The case reportedly invokes provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act. Police clarified that the investigation is at a preliminary stage and that further action will depend on the digital evidence collected.
The FIR comes days after Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police summoned Meta representatives to explain the company’s mechanisms for detecting and removing AI-generated scams, fake advertisements and manipulated content. A Meta representative is understood to have briefed investigators on the company’s content moderation and compliance measures.
Centre sought explanation from Meta
The development follows recent scrutiny of Meta after a video posted from Prime Minister Modi’s official Facebook account was briefly blocked. The company later assured the government that additional safeguards would be introduced for prominent public accounts.
According to sources, Meta informed the Centre that posts from high-profile accounts would now receive additional oversight, with any decision involving such content requiring review by at least two senior company officials.
The company is also expected to hold further discussions with the government on content regulation and platform compliance.
Similar action over protest-related posts
The Hyderabad FIRs come amid wider action over online content linked to the student protests against the paper leak issue.
Earlier, Delhi Police issued notices to multiple social media accounts, including some news portals, seeking the removal of posts and videos containing abusive remarks against the Prime Minister that were uploaded during protests at Jantar Mantar and the July 20 “Sansad Chalo” march.
In a separate case, a Zero FIR was recently registered against a woman accused of making objectionable remarks against Prime Minister Modi during a protest in Delhi. Police said the case was filed under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to intentional insult, public mischief and defamation.
