Senior Telangana IAS officer Smita Sabharwal has raised concerns over the selective enforcement of action regarding the sharing of an AI-generated image depicting a 400-acre land parcel in Kancha Gachibowli, adjacent to the University of Hyderabad. The image, which featured earthmoving machinery alongside wildlife, was widely circulated on social media, with Sabharwal among the approximately 2,000 individuals who reshared it.
On April 12, the Cyberabad Police issued a notice to Sabharwal under Section 179 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), summoning her as a witness in an investigation concerning the creation and dissemination of “misleading” content. The image in question was interpreted as critical of the Telangana government’s plans to develop the land for urban infrastructure, including an IT park, which has sparked protests from student and environmental groups.
In response, Sabharwal provided a detailed statement to the Gachibowli police, emphasizing her cooperation as a law-abiding citizen. She questioned whether similar actions were being taken against all individuals who reshared the image, highlighting concerns about “selective targeting” and the potential compromise of natural justice principles.
The controversy has intensified public debate over the balance between development and environmental conservation, with ongoing legal proceedings in both the Telangana High Court and the Supreme Court.
