“We spoke to the principals, a few staff, councillors and the whistle-blowers of the two schools regarding the allegations today. We are now examining the allegations and the alleged chats, in which the deep-fake photos were allegedly circulated,” the joint CP told reporters.“The identity of the victims and the boys, if found allegedly involved in such an act, will be kept hidden. We will proceed as per juvenile justice law,” he added.Police on Friday said they will probe how three boys from two prominent private schools were involved in creating explicit deep fake images and videos of at least 64 female schoolmates and teachers, using photos lifted from individual and school’s Instagram accounts and selling them online.Cyber Crime Police Station OC Chandan Das confirmed the schools had submitted a narrative but failed to provide any deep-fake images, web links or IP addresses.Both schools backtracked on deep-fake allegations on Saturday citing lack of evidence, a day after alleging that certain students had created deep-fake photos of female classmates and staff.The PRO of a private school told TOI, “We have provided only information to the Cyber Police Station and not lodged any complaint with the police as we do not have any evidence.”The school authorities in a statement issued on Friday stated that it came to their notice on June 11 about the allegations of creation and circulation of digitally manipulated (deep-fake) images purportedly involving certain students and staff.Upon receiving the information, the school authority said, the matter was referred to the appropriate school committees, including the Child Abuse Monitoring Committee (CAMC), and a preliminary inquiry is underway.“Meetings have also been held with the concerned parents and guardians. As an interim measure, the students directly involved have been placed under suspension… Upon completion of the enquiry, further actions will be taken in accordance with school regulations and applicable laws,” one school said.
