Indian Man Arrested for AI Deepfake Images of Ex-Girlfriend

Dibrugarh Police in Assam, India arrested 30-year-old mechanical engineer Pratim Bora in July 2025 for using artificial intelligence tools to create sexually explicit deepfake images and videos of his ex-girlfriend. The case has become one of India's most prominent examples of AI-enabled image-based abuse and has renewed calls for dedicated deepfake legislation in the country.

Bora allegedly earned approximately Rs 10 lakh (roughly $7,000) by selling access to the fabricated content through a subscription platform, building an audience of about 3,000 paying subscribers.

The Arrest and Investigation

Dibrugarh Police apprehended Bora on July 12, 2025, from a rented flat in Tinsukia, Assam. In-Charge Superintendent of Police Sizal Agarwal confirmed the arrest at a press conference. Bora was produced before the District and Sessions Court of Dibrugarh, which ordered five days of police custody.

The victim, Archita Phukan, had been in a relationship with Bora during their college years from 2013 to 2017. After their breakup in 2020, Bora allegedly began creating a fake online persona using her identity.

Police seized a laptop, two mobile phones, a desktop computer, multiple ATM cards, a hard disk, Wi-Fi equipment, bank documents, and several SIM cards from Bora's residence. Phukan's brother lodged the police complaint that triggered the investigation.

How the Scheme Worked

According to police investigators and Indian news reports, Bora ran the scheme over approximately five years:

1. Fake identity creation: Bora created an Instagram account called "Babydoll Archi" in August 2020, using real photos of Phukan taken from her social media profiles
2. AI content generation: He used Midjourney AI, Desire AI, OpenArt AI, ChatGPT, and Dzine to generate deepfake images and videos, superimposing Phukan's face onto synthetic bodies
3. False narrative: The fake account claimed Phukan was a U.S.-based adult actress. Bora morphed her images alongside a known adult performer to create a false association
4. Distribution: He used multiple fake Gmail accounts and social media profiles to spread content while concealing his identity. The account name was later changed from "Babydoll Archi" to "Amira Ishtara"
5. Monetization: Bora set up subscription access through a platform called ActualFans, with approximately 3,000 subscribers directed through Linktree

The fake account grew to over 1.3 million followers and even obtained Instagram verification, lending an air of legitimacy to what was entirely fabricated content.

Charges Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita

Bora was charged under six sections of India's Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which replaced the Indian Penal Code on July 1, 2024:

BNS Section	Offense	Maximum Penalty
Section 74	Assault or criminal force to outrage a woman's modesty	1 to 5 years imprisonment + fine
Section 75	Sexual harassment (showing pornography without consent)	Up to 3 years rigorous imprisonment + fine
Section 294	Sale and distribution of obscene material	First offense: 2 years + Rs 5,000 fine
Section 336(4)	Forgery (using forged electronic record as genuine)	Up to 7 years imprisonment + fine
Section 351(2)	Criminal intimidation by anonymous communication	Up to 2 years imprisonment
Section 356(2)	Defamation	Up to 2 years or fine or community service

He also faces charges under the Information Technology Act 2000:

• Section 66E: Violation of privacy through intentional capture, publication, or transmission of a person's image without consent (up to 3 years or fine up to Rs 2 lakh)
• Section 67A: Publishing or transmitting sexually explicit material in electronic form (first offense: up to 5 years and Rs 10 lakh fine; subsequent offense: up to 7 years)

India's Legal Framework for Deepfakes

India does not have a standalone law specifically addressing deepfakes as of March 2026, but multiple existing laws apply. The Bora case demonstrates how authorities are using a combination of criminal code provisions and IT Act sections to prosecute deepfake offenses.

The Information Technology Act

The IT Act's Section 66E criminalizes capturing, publishing, or transmitting images of a person's private area without consent. Section 67 covers publishing obscene material electronically (up to 3 years and Rs 5 lakh fine on first conviction), while Section 67A covers sexually explicit content with stiffer penalties (up to 5 years and Rs 10 lakh). Section 67B specifically addresses child sexual abuse material in electronic form.

IT Intermediary Guidelines Amendments

India's Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) has progressively tightened rules around AI-generated content:

• November 2023: MeitY issued an advisory to social media platforms to identify and act on deepfake content after a viral deepfake video of actress Rashmika Mandanna
• October 2025: An amendment requiring mandatory labeling of "synthetically generated information" was notified. Labels must cover at least 10% of screen area for visuals and 10% of duration for audio
• February 2026: A major amendment reduced the takedown deadline for harmful AI content from 36 hours to just 3 hours, effective February 20, 2026

Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023

The DPDP Act requires explicit consent for processing personal data, including biometric data and a person's likeness. While it does not explicitly mention deepfakes, its provisions apply to unauthorized use of someone's image. Penalties for violations reach up to Rs 250 crore (approximately $30 million).

Proposed Deepfake Legislation

A private member's bill, the Regulation of Deepfake Bill, 2024, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 5, 2025, by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde. The bill would:

• Require mandatory consent before creating a deepfake of any person
• Mandate digital watermarking for traceability
• Criminalize sexually explicit deepfakes, deepfakes intended to cause harm or influence elections, and deepfakes used for fraud
• Establish a Deepfake Task Force to determine penalties

The bill has been introduced but not yet passed as of March 2026.

Other Notable Deepfake Cases in India

Rashmika Mandanna Case (Delhi, 2023-2024)

In the case that catalyzed India's deepfake debate, a viral video superimposed Bollywood actress Rashmika Mandanna's face onto footage of a British-Indian influencer. Delhi Police arrested the main accused, 23-year-old Eemani Naveen from Andhra Pradesh, on January 20, 2024. He was charged under IPC Sections 465 (forgery) and 469 (forgery for harming reputation) plus IT Act Sections 66C and 66E.

Kasaragod Cases (Kerala)

In June 2024, three youths in Kasaragod, Kerala were arrested for using AI apps to create nude deepfake images of over 150 women from their village, an operation that had run for approximately 18 months. In March 2026, a studio photographer in the same district was arrested for morphing women's photos from social media and uploading them to Telegram adult content groups.

Bollywood Celebrity Lawsuits

Multiple Bollywood actors have sought court orders against deepfakes. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan filed suit in September 2025 against unauthorized AI-generated content using her likeness. Actors NTR Jr., R. Madhavan, and Shilpa Shetty have obtained court orders blocking the spread of synthetic media of their likeness.

The Growing Scale of the Problem

The Bora case illustrates how accessible AI tools have made it to create convincing deepfake content. Investigators noted he used multiple commercially available AI platforms, none of which required specialized technical knowledge. The combination of easy-to-use tools and subscription monetization platforms creates financial incentives for this type of abuse.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called deepfakes "a crisis" in late 2023, and the government has responded with regulatory amendments rather than comprehensive legislation. Legal experts have called for a dedicated deepfake law that addresses the full lifecycle of synthetic media, from creation to distribution to monetization.

Until such legislation passes, Indian authorities rely on a combination of BNS provisions, IT Act sections, and intermediary guidelines to prosecute deepfake offenses. Victims can file complaints at their local police station, the nearest cyber crime cell, or through India's National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.

This article provides general legal information about deepfake laws in India. Laws are evolving rapidly in this area. Consult an attorney licensed in the relevant jurisdiction for advice specific to your situation.