Kerala AI camera issue: SRIT files lawsuits against media outlets, opposition

Kochi: SRIT India Private Limited, a Bengaluru-based company that implemented the contentious AI-powered camera surveillance system in Kerala, has reportedly filed a defamation lawsuit against opposition leaders and two media outlets, alleging that they ran "scandalous and false campaigns" against the company. The corporation also made available all the project-related documents during a press confinaugurated in April 2023. In addition, the company claimed that it had paid the government's Goods and Services Tax (GST)erence on May 10th.

The company claimed that it obtained the contract by following due process and that the project was finished in March 2022, according to an article in The Hindu. After being verified and certified by technical experts, it was of Rs 23 crore and a security deposit of Rs 6 crore to Kerala State Electronics Development Corporation (Keltron) in accordance with the contract. SRIT added that its anticipated profit margin was less than 10%.

The project's financial partner, E-Centric Digital Limited, assisted the company in completing it.

The first to make the accusation was BJP state vice-president Sobha Surendran, who claimed that Prakash Babu, the father-in-law of CM Pinarayi Vijayan's son, was responsible for the company (Presadio Technologies Pvt Ltd), one of two firms in the consortium that won the subcontract from SRIT India Private Limited. SRIT had initially secured the contract from Keltron, a state-run company. Similar allegations have also been made by senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala and opposition leader VD Satheesan.

On April 20 of this year, the Kerala chief minister launched the "Safe Kerala" project, which aims to reduce traffic accidents and infractions by installing up to 726 surveillance cameras equipped with artificial intelligence across the state. The Opposition Congress and the general public criticised the idea, which was authorised in a Cabinet meeting.