IAS Officer Smita Sabharwal Receives Police Notice

Principal Secretary of the Youth, Tourism and Culture Department of the State government Smita Sabharwal today received a notice from the State police for sharing an AI-generated image on the social media related to the reported destruction of 400 acres of forest land in the Kancha Gachibowli area.

The image was shared on March 31 through the X handle 'Hi Hyderabad'.

Styled in a Ghibli-inspired aesthetic, the artwork depicts bulldozers at Mushroom Rock while animals like peacocks and deer observe the scene.

The image highlights the Kancha Gachibowli area, which falls under the jurisdiction of the University of Hyderabad (HCU).

Inspector Mohammad Habibullah Khan of the Gachibowli police station said that a notice was issued under Section 179 of the BNSS. Under that section, investigating officers are empowered to summon individuals for questioning or to provide statements relevant to an investigation. Khan said that the contents of the notice could not be disclosed at this time.

As per reports, however, the police department is facing criticism for issuing a notice to a senior officer who has been actively involved in raising public awareness about environmental protection. The move has sparked debate, with many questioning whether sharing an AI-generated image constituted a criminal act.