Roommate used AI to defame college students:Deepfake videos circulated after rent dispute; FIR lodged following DIG intervention

A case involving the alleged misuse of artificial intelligence and delayed police action has emerged from Amarkantak in Anuppur district. Two college students have accused their former roommate of creating obscene deepfake videos using their photographs and circulating them through fake social media accounts. According to the victims, the doctored videos were shared in university groups and among people associated with the campus, causing severe mental distress and reputational harm. The students claim local police failed to register a case for nearly two months. An FIR was eventually lodged only after intervention by senior officials, including the Shahdol Commissioner and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police. Dispute began over shared accommodation and unpaid rent The students said they had rented a room outside the university campus because they were unable to secure hostel accommodation. They shared the room with a third student. According to the complainants, the third roommate frequently failed to pay her share of the rent. Around two months ago, she allegedly attempted to leave the accommodation without informing them. When the two students stopped her with the help of the landlord, an argument broke out. They alleged that while leaving, the roommate threatened them, saying she would not rest until she had defamed both of them. Fake social media accounts and deepfake videos A few days after the alleged threat, the students began receiving calls from acquaintances regarding objectionable content circulating online. Upon checking, they found that fake social media accounts had allegedly been created in their names. The students claim their former roommate and her brother used AI tools to edit their photographs into obscene videos and then distributed them through university groups and to people known to them. The victims said they confronted the former roommate, who allegedly admitted that she and her brother wanted to tarnish their reputation. They also approached the woman’s mother, but no action was taken. Victims allege police refused to register complaint The students alleged that despite approaching the police with evidence, they received little assistance. April 7: First visit to police station The victims said they visited Amarkantak police station with evidence of the obscene content. They were reportedly made to wait for two hours before being told that the matter did not fall under the police’s jurisdiction and should instead be taken to the cyber cell. No FIR was registered. April 8: Second visit As more objectionable posts continued to appear online, the students returned to the police station the next day. They said they waited for five hours and provided the names, addresses and phone numbers of the suspects. However, according to the students, police officials told them that tracing the accused was the responsibility of the cyber cell. May 24: Written complaint filed Forty-seven days later, the victims again approached the police and submitted a written complaint. They allege that no meaningful action followed. The students also lodged a complaint through the Chief Minister’s Helpline on May 29 but claimed they received no relief. FIR registered after Commissioner and DIG stepped in Feeling helpless and distressed, the students eventually left college and returned to their homes. They later approached senior officials at the Shahdol divisional headquarters. After hearing their account, the Shahdol Commissioner reportedly directed them to meet the DIG. The DIG is said to have reprimanded Amarkantak police over the handling of the case. The next day, the students received a message confirming that an FIR had been registered. However, they claim they have still not been provided with a copy of the FIR. Students refuse to return to university until action is taken The victims said their parents have supported them throughout the ordeal and helped them cope with the emotional trauma. They stated that they have been staying at home for the past two months and will not return to the university until the accused are arrested and all fake accounts and obscene videos linked to their names are permanently removed from the internet. Their families have backed the decision, saying the students’ safety and dignity remain their top priority.