The Telangana government on Monday approached the High Court, seeking action against social media activists, political leaders, and celebrities who allegedly circulated fake videos and AI-generated images to spread misinformation regarding the Kancha Gachibowli land issue.
Senior counsel Menaka Guruswamy, representing the State Forest Department, informed the court that a legal matter was being distorted and turned into a vehicle for fake news, threatening the social fabric of the state.
She requested the court's permission to submit a preliminary report on behalf of the police, detailing how fabricated content was being used to instigate unrest and "inspire a certain kind of breakdown of social fabric."
A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Renuka Yara instructed the government to file a counter affidavit and include all related concerns in the response.
According to the government, BRS leaders allegedly shared edited videos and images related to the Kancha Gachibowli land with the intent to incite public unrest.
These posts, published on April 2, allegedly contained morphed visuals of University of Hyderabad land, accompanied by unverified and provocative claims.
A statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), quoting top officials, said the controversy had sparked national debate as some individuals created and circulated AI-generated fake visuals on social media.
According to the statement, senior police officials briefed the Chief Minister that certain individuals with vested interests had fabricated videos and AI-generated images — including visuals of crying peacocks and injured deer fleeing bulldozers — to create emotional impact and spread misinformation.
The CMO also highlighted social media posts by Union Minister G Kishan Reddy, former Telangana Minister G Jagadish Reddy, influencer Dhruv Rathee, and film celebrities John Abraham, Dia Mirza, and Raveena Tandon.
“They sent the wrong message to society by uploading fake posts on social media, believing them to be genuine,” the statement said.
The court is expected to take up the matter further once the government files its detailed counter affidavit.
