New Delhi: The Tis Hazari Court in Delhi has allowed Chennai Police to take a Delhi-based man to Tamil Nadu on a two-day transit remand in a case involving allegedly fabricated AI-generated videos and images of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay Thalapathi.
Identified as Neeraj, the accused was arrested from Burari in north Delhi. Police allege that he operated a Facebook page titled “Vijay Thalapathi Help”, which was created on August 20 and had about 90 followers. The page followed 167 accounts and displayed photographs of Vijay and the TVK.
The profile also carried a mobile number allegedly linked to Neeraj. Its description read: “Namaskar main CM Vijay Thalapathi CM select hone par all over India mein help kar raha hun logon ki.”
Fake Promises Circulated Online
According to investigators, the page hosted reels and photographs that falsely showed Vijay appearing on a “Crorepati” programme and announcing financial assistance for members of the public. Other AI-generated visuals allegedly claimed that free houses, motorcycles and several other benefits would be distributed, as reported by The News Mill.
Police said the material was designed to give viewers the impression that the promises had been made or approved by Vijay, potentially misleading the public and damaging the leader’s reputation.
The case was registered on September 5 at the Cyber Crime Police Station in Anna Nagar, Chennai. During the probe, a cyber expert team examined multiple Facebook pages that carried allegedly manipulated content connected to Vijay.
Duty Judicial Magistrate First Class Preeti Rajoria granted the transit remand on September 11 after hearing the police’s submissions.
Chennai Police have been authorised to transport Neeraj to the city with appropriate security arrangements and produce him before the jurisdictional Magistrate at Saidapet by September 13.
The investigating officer, represented by Additional Public Prosecutor Aman Gaurav, had sought custody to present the accused before the competent court in Chennai.
Probe Points To Wider Network
Investigators suspect that the social media accounts were being run from different states and may form part of a coordinated cybercrime operation. The alleged offences include impersonation, misuse of identity, forgery, creation of false digital records and circulation of manipulated material.
Police have also said that the unauthorised use of Vijay’s name, image and voice may have been intended to support financial and non-financial fraud while discrediting him for ulterior motives.
The investigating officer described the circulation of the content as part of a suspected cyber-enabled conspiracy that could cause public deception, financial loss, reputational injury and disruption of public order. Authorities also cited possible implications for the internal security of the state.
