Nava Raipur, India: In a disturbing revelation that underscores the dark side of digital technology, a student at the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) has been accused of using artificial intelligence to morph over 1,000 images of his classmates into explicit content. The accused, Syed Rahim Adnan, reportedly targeted 36 female students along with several male classmates. Authorities have seized his laptop, mobile phone, and pen drive, confirming the scale of the alleged misconduct. Initial investigations indicate that none of the images were uploaded to social media or any website.
Profile of the Accused
Name: Syed Rahim Adnan
Age: 21
Residence: Bilaspur District, Chhattisgarh
Education: IIIT Raipur, 3rd Year, ECE Department
Key Points:
Crime: AI-morphed over 1,000 explicit images.
Motive: Personal pleasure.
Campus Impact: Students report fear and discomfort.
Seized Items: Laptop, mobile, pen drive.
Legal Action: FIR filed under relevant sections of the IT Act.
Discovery of the Incident
According to a classmate, Aniruddh (name changed), the case came to light during a group project when another student discovered explicit files on Adnan’s laptop. These files contained morphed images of female and male classmates. Upon seeing the files, students were shocked and immediately reported the matter to the college administration.
Responding swiftly, teachers, female faculty members, and the hostel superintendent arrived on campus. Examination of the laptop revealed morphed images covering nearly the entire class. In cases where social media photos were unavailable, group photos were manipulated, implicating additional students, including males.
Impact on Campus Life
The incident has created an atmosphere of fear and unease across the IIIT campus. Female students are reportedly reluctant to participate in group projects, and many have considered deleting their social media accounts. Conversations from hostel corridors to the cafeteria are dominated by a single question: “Were our images morphed too?”
One male student expressed, “The hardest part is that Adnan was from our own class. Now we question whether anyone can truly trust each other here.”
Police Investigation and Arrest
Nava Raipur ASP confirmed that Adnan used two separate AI applications to morph the students’ images. The accused admitted to manipulating images of six female classmates. Following a complaint, police traced him to Bilaspur, where he was arrested. All digital evidence, including the laptop, mobile phone, and pen drive, has been confiscated for forensic analysis.
Expert Opinion and Digital Safety Advice
Prof. Triveni Singh, former IPS officer and cybercrime expert, provided critical insight into the case:
“This incident exposes the serious misuse of AI tools and highlights the lack of cybersecurity awareness among students. Morphing someone’s images without consent violates privacy and has profound psychological consequences. Institutions must implement strict digital security policies, cyber safety training, and regular awareness sessions.”
Prof. Singh also outlined essential digital safety practices for students:
- Keep privacy settings activated on all social media accounts.
- Share photos and posts only with trusted contacts.
- Ignore friend requests from unknown or suspicious accounts.
- Be cautious of fake profiles that collect personal images.
- Avoid storing sensitive images on cloud drives or shared platforms.
- Never upload personal photos to AI tools or “fun image generator” apps.
- Do not share suspicious photos or videos; misuse can result in legal consequences under IT Act 67A.
- If an image has been morphed, report immediately to the Cybercrime Helpline 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in.
Prof. Singh emphasized that awareness and proactive digital hygiene are the first line of defense against such crimes, particularly in academic institutions where students are still learning about the risks of technology.
Background of the Accused
Syed Rahim Adnan hails from a middle-class family in Bilaspur. His father is a driver, and his mother is a private school teacher. Academically talented since childhood, Adnan excelled in science and computer studies. He earned admission to IIIT Raipur based on merit, reflecting high academic promise. However, the misuse of AI technology has now cast a shadow over his educational and professional future.
Psychological and Social Implications
Beyond the legal and technical dimensions, the incident has had psychological and social ramifications for students. Many female students reported anxiety, fear, and hesitation to engage in campus activities. Some have considered refraining from attending classes or participating in extracurricular events due to fear of image misuse. Male students also expressed concern over trust within peer groups.
Experts warn that such breaches of privacy, especially using sophisticated AI tools, can cause long-term emotional distress, erode campus trust, and require comprehensive institutional intervention.
Conclusion
This case highlights the urgent need for educational institutions to establish robust digital security policies and educate students about responsible AI usage. IIIT Raipur has announced that it will implement new guidelines and policies to prevent similar incidents in the future. The administration aims to create a safe digital and physical environment, ensuring that students can engage in academic and social activities without fear of privacy violations.
As AI tools become increasingly accessible, experts stress that awareness, vigilance, and institutional safeguards are essential to prevent personal data misuse and maintain trust in educational environments.
