Rastriya Swatantra Party lawmaker Khagendra Sunar has claimed that artificial intelligence was being used to fabricate allegations against him, following a report by Jana Aastha on Monday accusing him of blackmail and threats.
The news outlet published a report headlined “RSP lawmaker Khagendra Sunar embroiled in another controversy: Threats to kill former minister, extortion, with audio recordings and banking transaction details”. The report prompted the RSP to issue a statement announcing an internal investigation.
According to the report, Sunar allegedly lured a woman with the promise of marriage, recorded an obscene video of her and then blackmailed her. Jana Aastha also said it had obtained four audio recordings in which Sunar allegedly issued threats.
The RSP’s Central Disciplinary Commission has confirmed that an investigation into the lawmaker has begun.
Sunar, however, has denied the allegations, claiming that he has faced sustained attacks since he began raising questions about corruption within the police.
“Since yesterday, an audio recording involving a fictional woman is being circulated as if it were mine,” Sunar said. “All the allegations made public so far are false. They are part of a campaign fabricated using artificial intelligence and other technologies.”
Sunar said he was willing to cooperate with both his party and the government in any investigation into the allegations against him.
“I sincerely urge the party and the government to investigate the facts behind every question and allegation raised against me,” he said. “But I am prepared to answer the allegations even as I face a campaign of hatred for raising questions about corruption.”
He also appealed to the public not to be misled by what he described as false claims and said he was prepared to assist anyone investigating the allegations against him.