JD(U) Leader files police complaint against Prashant Kishor over 'deepfake' remark on Nitish Kumar

A JD(U) leader filed a police complaint Wednesday, July 28, against Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor, accusing him of insulting the former Chief Minister of Bihar Nitish Kumar by calling his video message to the voters a "deepfake."

Member of Legislative Council (MLC) Neeraj Kumar said that he submitted the complaint at Shastri Nagar police station, Patna, asking the officers to investigate and file a case against her under the applicable laws.

"We have submitted a complaint against Kishor at the Shastri Nagar police station. Just ahead of the Bankipur assembly by-election, Kishor, who is reportedly an affluent individual with assets worth more than Rs 190 crore has insulted the former CM," the MLC said.

The dispute stems from a video Kumar released on Monday, July 27, urging voters in Bankipur to back BJP candidate Neeraj Kumar Sinha in the upcoming by-poll election, to be held on Thursday, July, 30. In the video, Kumar highlighted the NDA government's achievements over the past two decades.

Kishor, who is himself contesting for the Bankipur seat called the video "AI-generated and deepfake" on Tuesday, July 28. He said he would withdraw his candidacy if Kumar, whom he described as unwell, delivered the same appeal in person before journalists.

"He (Kishor) said an AI-generated video has been circulated. Has Nitish Kumar ever done anything artificial? Who has the audacity to create an artificial video of Nitish Kumar," the MLC asked.

The Bankipur by-poll was triggered by the resignation of BJP Chief Nitin Nabin following his election to the Rajya Sabha. Vote counting is scheduled for Monday, August 3.

(With inputs from PTI)