AI-Generated Voice Claim: Delhi High Court Orders Forensic Examination Of Alleged Extortion Call
The Delhi High Court has directed the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) to conduct a scientific examination of an alleged phone recording submitted by real estate company BPTP Limited, after the defendant claimed that it could be an AI-generated voice clone.Justice Tushar Rao Gedela passed the order while hearing an application filed by BPTP Limited alleging wilful disobedience of...
The Delhi High Court has directed the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) to conduct a scientific examination of an alleged phone recording submitted by real estate company BPTP Limited, after the defendant claimed that it could be an AI-generated voice clone.
Justice Tushar Rao Gedela passed the order while hearing an application filed by BPTP Limited alleging wilful disobedience of an earlier court order dated September 03.
Senior Advocate Rajiv Nayar, appearing for BPTP, told the court that the defendant Nitin Naresh had allegedly made a phone call to one Jai Shankar, the company's authorised representative, which appeared to be an attempt to extort money and violated the court's earlier order.
The company's counsel played the approximately 12-minute-long recording before the court and sought action against the defendants for alleged contempt of the earlier order.
However, Naresh denied having any such conversation and claimed that the recording could be an AI-generated clone of his voice, which had been modulated.
He further argued that the application did not contain the requisite certificate under Section 65B of the CrPC, and that the recording could not be admitted into evidence without it.
He also requested that the recording be sent to a forensic laboratory for scientific examination to establish its authenticity.
Taking note of the submissions, the court observed that the allegations could have serious repercussions and that it was necessary to ascertain the truthfulness and veracity of the recording before arriving at any conclusion.
“The allegations made in this application may have serious repercussions, and even before this Court can come to any conclusion, it would be apposite to ascertain as to the truthfulness and veracity of the said recording, which has been placed on record,” the Court said.
It, therefore, directed that the recording be transferred to a pen drive and handed over to the Registrar General of the High Court, who would seal it and transmit it to the CFSL.
“The Director, CFSL, CBI Headquarters, is requested to give priority to the present request to generate a report within four weeks from date and furnish it to the Registrar General of this Court. The Registrar General is directed toplace the same before this Court in a sealed cover alongwith the report,” the Court said.
During the hearing, defendant Naresh voluntarily stated that a gag order could be passed against him. Accepting the said statement, the court directed him to maintain silence on the subject matter of the suit until the next date of hearing.
The matter will now be heard on November 02.
Title: BPTP LIMITED v. NITIN NARESH & ORS