Doctored Video Probe: Telangana CM Reddy, others seek more time for appearance before Dehi Police

May 1, 2024

New Delhi: The legal counsels of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and four other leaders, who have been summoned by Delhi Police in connection with the ‘deepfake video’ case involving Union Home Minister Amit Shah, sought more time for an appearance via email.

The counsels expressed the inability of their clients to comply with the Delhi Police summons in connection with the ongoing probe into the ‘doctored’ video.

Delhi Police had issued a summons to the Telangana CM and others as part of the ongoing inquiry into the circulation of an alleged fake video in which the Union Home Minister is purportedly heard saying that the BJP stands against reservations.

However, the BJP, thereafter, flagged the viral clip as fake and accused several Congress leaders in the South state of circulating it.

The notice served by the Delhi Police asked CM Reddy and four others to appear at 10.30 am on May 1, along with their mobile handsets and laptops for forensic examination.

However, according to sources, the lawyers representing the Telangana CM and others requested more time, saying they would not be able to appear on the scheduled date.

Summoning the Telangana CM and the others earlier in connection with the ‘fake’ video case, the police said it is to be seen who joins the investigation in person and who sends their responses via email on May 1. Based on their submissions or responses, the probe will be taken forward, the officers informed.

Earlier, the Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit of Delhi Police issued summons to 16 individuals across 7 to 8 states in connection with the case.

The summons were issued under Sections 91 and 160 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), asking the persons concerned to join the investigation and provide relevant documents and electronic devices as evidence.