Ernakulam College Morphing Case: Police Probe Possible Accomplices, Expand Cyber Team
Kerala police probing the Ernakulam college morphing case have questioned more people, including alumni, and are investigating whether the arrested student received help.
The investigation into the morphing of images of college staff members in Ernakulam district has widened, with police questioning additional individuals, including former students of the institution. Sources close to the investigation confirmed that no one else has been taken into custody so far.
The central focus of the inquiry is whether the arrested student, Sreehari V.S., a second-year BBA student from Kilimanoor in Thiruvananthapuram, acted alone or with assistance. Sreehari was remanded in judicial custody on Friday in connection with the alleged morphing and online circulation of images of at least three staff members, including teachers.
A senior police officer stated that more scientific analysis is required on the electronic devices seized from the accused. Notably, the AI tool suspected to have been used for generating the morphed images was not found on the laptop or mobile phone recovered from him. Investigators suspect the tool may have been deleted before the gadgets were seized.
Preliminary findings suggest the images were primarily shared through two Telegram channels. Police have not discovered any evidence indicating financial gain from the act, and they have ruled out the misuse of images belonging to other students based on the initial probe.
To strengthen the technical aspects of the case, the investigation team has been expanded to include cyber experts. The team is headed by Inspector S. Sanal, with supervision by ACP C.K. Bijoy Chandran.
Meanwhile, the college principal has issued a statement urging students and alumni to share any relevant information with the police to aid the ongoing investigation.