Patna: Amid a heated election campaign in Bihar, the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of the Bihar Police has registered FIRs against the BJP, Congress and RJD for allegedly spreading religious and caste-based hatred through social media posts. The EOU has also flagged several AI-generated deepfake videos being circulated to influence voters, marking the first such crackdown during the ongoing Assembly elections.
Confirming the action, EOU DIG Manavjit Singh Dhillon said the unit had detected objectionable posts from verified political accounts. “These parties were found spreading religious and caste hatred on social media. An election cell is continuously monitoring online platforms in three shifts,” he said.
The EOU has filed 21 FIRs for inflammatory and misleading content under the Representation of the People Act, Information Technology Act, and the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The complaints include objectionable videos, songs, and graphics posted on social media platforms, allegedly designed to provoke communal and caste-based sentiments.
AI Deepfake Content Under Scanner
Officials confirmed that six FIRs were specifically registered for AI-generated deepfake content intended to manipulate public perception during the elections. “A total of 17 such video links have been identified. Notices have been sent to intermediaries for immediate takedown,” the EOU said in its statement. Two of these links have also been recommended for blocking under Section 69A of the IT Act, 2000.
EOU ADG Nayyar Hasnain Khan said, “Our teams are working round the clock to prevent digital manipulation and black money use during the elections. While the Income Tax Department looks into finances, we are focused on cyber and economic offences that can disrupt electoral integrity.”
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21 FIRs, 513 Posts Flagged
So far, the EOU has taken action against 25 handles and 67 links, with a total of 21 FIRs filed for spreading communal and caste-based hatred. Additionally, four YouTube channels have been booked for releasing provocative songs and videos that could “influence the election process.”
The unit has also acted on 184 objectionable links and posts, which were removed after notices were issued to social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
135 Accounts Under Continuous Surveillance
The EOU’s social media monitoring cell is keeping a close watch on 135 online profiles, including 40 major social media handles, 28 YouTube channels, and 77 personal accounts. Over 513 objectionable or fake profiles have been flagged so far for spreading misinformation and election-related propaganda.
Officials said repeat offenders have been placed on a watchlist, and legal action, including blocking and prosecution, will be taken against accounts repeatedly violating the Election Commission’s digital code of conduct.
“The EOU is committed to ensuring that Bihar’s elections remain free from misinformation, hate campaigns, and digital manipulation,” an EOU official said. “Any attempt — human or AI-generated — to mislead voters or incite division will face strict legal consequences.”
