Phone Call Between Swati Maliwal and Dhruv Rathee Viral? A Fact Check
The Viral Clip and Its Claims
29.05.2024: A viral clip purportedly featuring a phone conversation between AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal and YouTuber Dhruv Rathee has been circulating on social media. In the clip, Maliwal allegedly explains to Rathee how she was assaulted in front of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his wife, Sunita Kejriwal, and asks Rathee not to make a video about it. They also discuss whether Rathee’s “payments” were being received on time.
Fact-Check: AI-Generated Audio
The audio clip in question has been identified as AI-generated. BOOM used two AI detection tools, Itisaar and Contrails, both of which confirmed that the audio was synthetic and not a genuine conversation between Swati Maliwal and Dhruv Rathee.
Background of the Incident
On May 13, Swati Maliwal filed a complaint with Delhi Police, alleging that she was attacked by Bibhav Kumar, an aide of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, inside the Chief Minister’s residence. Kumar has denied the allegations and has also filed a counter-complaint. He was arrested by Delhi Police on May 18, 2024, and remains in police custody. Following these events, Dhruv Rathee made a video suggesting that Maliwal’s complaint was spurious, which coincides with the timing of the viral audio.
Social Media Reactions
A user on X (formerly Twitter) shared the AI-generated audio with a Hindi caption that translates to: “Delhi. Video of Swati Maliwal and Dhruv Rathee goes viral. Swati Maliwal asked Dhruv Rathee not to make the video on your request. The beating happened at the behest of Arvind Kejriwal and Sunita Kejriwal. Dhruv Rathee makes videos on the agenda of the opposition.”
Evidence of Deepfake
BOOM’s analysis of the audio revealed several discrepancies, such as jump-cuts and voice overlays, suggesting it was synthetic. The audio was run through the deepfake detection tool Itisaar, developed by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur, which confirmed it was a deepfake. Researchers at Contrails further verified that the viral phone call was an “AI audio spoof,” with clear patterns of AI voice cloning detected in both speakers’ voices.
The viral phone call between Swati Maliwal and Dhruv Rathee is an AI-generated deepfake. Despite its realistic sound, advanced AI tools have confirmed its inauthenticity. The spread of this synthetic audio highlights the growing challenge of deepfakes and the importance of verifying information before sharing it on social media.