Overview
- An official certificate dated December 19 states the viral clip falsely linked to YouTuber Payal Dhare was tampered with and is an AI-generated deepfake.
- Police registered an FIR under BNS sections 3(5), 79 and 356(2), Section 67 of the IT Act, and Sections 3 and 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women Act.
- The probe includes advanced digital forensics, trail analysis and coordination with social media companies to identify originators and those who amplified the video for gain or harassment.
- Authorities warned that sharing or falsely attributing the clip could invite criminal action, noting Section 67 penalties of up to three years in prison and a ₹5 lakh fine for a first conviction.
- Payal Dhare filed the complaint, denied any connection to the video, urged people and media not to share it, and thanked Maharashtra Cyber for the swift certification and case registration.