The Gurugram Police has taken action following the circulation of a "deepfake" video featuring Dr. Naresh Trehan, the chairperson and managing director of Medanta, endorsing a weight-loss drug on social media. The Cyber Crime unit of the police registered a case against unidentified individuals under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The fabricated video, which surfaced on social media, depicts a doctor participating in a television program and recommending an anti-obesity medication. Harish Aswani, the assistant vice president (AVP) for marketing at the hospital, lodged a complaint after observing the misleading content.
As per Aswani, the deepfake video tarnishes the reputation of Dr. Naresh Trehan and Medanta Hospitals, as Dr. Trehan is widely regarded as a trusted medical professional in the country. The dissemination of such false information could also instill unwarranted skepticism among patients seeking reliable medical guidance.
Deepfake technology, which utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to manipulate images or videos, enables individuals to impersonate others and portray them engaging in activities or making statements that never transpired.
In response to the complaint, the police filed a First Information Report (FIR) at a local police station in Gurugram, citing IPC sections 419 (cheating by impersonation) and 420 (cheating). Authorities are currently conducting further investigations into the matter.
