The Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on 18 October 2026 lodged a formal police complaint in Bhubaneswar over the creation and circulation of AI-generated deepfake and voice-cloned videos allegedly targeting former bureaucrat and senior party leader Sujata Rout Karthikeyan. The complaint was filed at the Capital Police Station by BJD leader Amrita Mishra against the unknown operators of a social media account called 'Odianka Chhata' on both Instagram and Facebook.

What the Complaint Alleges

According to the complaint, videos allegedly uploaded on 18 October used artificial intelligence and voice-cloning technology to circulate fabricated content. One such video reportedly portrayed Sujata Rout Karthikeyan threatening the Principal of Kendrapara Autonomous College in connection with student union elections — a claim the party has categorically denied.

In her complaint, Amrita Mishra alleged: 'The said content is entirely fabricated and has been manufactured with the sole intent to mislead the public, create discord, and lower the dignity and reputation of Sujata Rout Karthikeyan in the eyes of the public, as she belongs to the district of Kendrapara. The said content is solely created to politicise the matter as BJD has won in almost all colleges of Kendrapara.'

Key Demands from the BJD

The party urged police to immediately register an FIR, identify those operating the accounts, preserve digital evidence, and conduct a forensic examination of the content to trace those responsible. The complaint also called on authorities to obtain relevant information from Meta Platforms — the parent company of both Facebook and Instagram — through lawful procedures, and to prevent further circulation of the allegedly defamatory material.

The BJD also demanded strict action against all persons found involved in creating, uploading, or circulating the alleged deepfake content, calling it an attack on the dignity of a woman leader.

Political Context: Student Union Elections

The development comes in the immediate aftermath of student union elections held across Odisha on 15 October, a period of heightened political activity in the state. The BJD has reportedly performed strongly across colleges in Kendrapara, and the party contends the deepfake campaign is a deliberate attempt to undermine its political standing in the region by manufacturing controversy around one of its senior figures.

Notably, the alleged misuse of AI to fabricate statements from a named woman leader adds a gendered dimension to what is already a politically charged dispute — a pattern that authorities and digital rights advocates have flagged as a growing concern in Indian electoral politics.

Legal Framework and What Happens Next

The complaint invokes concerns around defamation, misrepresentation, and the misuse of artificial intelligence to manipulate public opinion. If an FIR is registered, investigators may seek data from Meta Platforms under India's applicable information technology and cybercrime statutes. The outcome of the forensic examination will be critical in establishing whether the content was machine-generated and in tracing its origin. Authorities have not yet publicly confirmed any action on the complaint as of the time of filing.