The Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have registered two criminal cases against Meta India’s head, Arun Srinivas, along with operators of several Facebook and Instagram accounts, over the alleged circulation of AI-generated and morphed videos targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The cases relate to content that investigators claim was misleading, derogatory, and circulated widely on Meta-owned platforms.
The development comes amid heightened scrutiny of artificial intelligence-generated content and the responsibility of social media platforms to detect and remove manipulated media before it spreads online.
What Triggered the FIRs?
According to police, the FIRs were registered after complaints from BJP workers who alleged that several Facebook and Instagram posts contained digitally altered videos and images portraying Prime Minister Modi in an objectionable manner.
Investigators believe the content began circulating during protests linked to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over the NEET paper leak issue at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. Police are examining whether the manipulated content was intentionally designed to mislead viewers or damage the Prime Minister’s public image.
Meta India Head Named as Co-Accused
The FIRs reportedly name Arun Srinivas, the head of Meta India, as a co-accused along with administrators of several social media accounts.
Police have clarified that the investigation is examining the role of Meta in relation to the alleged circulation of the content and the company’s compliance with legal obligations after objectionable material was reported. Authorities have also issued notices to Meta seeking information related to the accounts involved and the platform’s moderation process.
Investigation Under BNS and IT Act
The Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have invoked provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act while registering the cases.
Officials are working to identify the individuals responsible for creating and uploading the alleged morphed videos and to determine how widely the content was shared across social media platforms. The investigation is also expected to examine whether the material violated India’s laws governing online misinformation and digital manipulation.
Growing Focus on AI-Generated Content
The case highlights the increasing challenge posed by AI-generated images and videos, often referred to as deepfakes or synthetic media.
As generative AI tools become more accessible, law enforcement agencies have reported a rise in digitally manipulated content involving public figures. Governments worldwide are placing greater emphasis on ensuring that technology companies develop stronger systems to detect, label, and remove deceptive content before it reaches large audiences.
Meta Already Under Government Scrutiny
The FIRs come shortly after the Indian government sought explanations from Meta over a separate incident involving the temporary restriction of a Facebook post published by Prime Minister Modi.
Following that episode, Meta reportedly expressed regret and agreed to engage with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to explain its content moderation policies and strengthen oversight mechanisms for high-profile accounts.
Balancing Platform Responsibility and Free Expression
The latest case is likely to intensify the ongoing debate over the responsibilities of social media platforms in moderating user-generated content.
While technology companies are expected to protect freedom of expression, they are also required to act against unlawful, manipulated, or misleading content under Indian law. The investigation may further clarify the extent to which platform executives can be held accountable when objectionable material remains available online.
What Happens Next?
The Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have begun collecting digital evidence, identifying the operators of the social media accounts involved, and seeking information from Meta regarding the reported posts.
At this stage, the registration of the FIRs marks the beginning of the investigation. Authorities have not announced any arrests, and the allegations will be examined as the investigation proceeds. The outcome of the case could have broader implications for content moderation, AI-generated media, and the accountability of social media platforms operating in India.
