AI to fake cleanups, GPS app to skip work: Gurugram civic body officials fired for using AI-edited photos to show garbage complaint was resolved; MCG says waste was still lying at the site

The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) has terminated an assistant sanitation inspector (ASI) after he was allegedly found using AI tools to alter photographs and falsely show that a civic complaint related to garbage dumping had been resolved. The civic body official was tasked with clearing a mound of garbage dumped near Gurgaon’s Kherki Daula Village following complaints from residents. In a similar case, another official used GPS spoofing to fake his attendance.

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MCG says AI-edited images were uploaded to close complaint

According to an official, speaking order issued by MCG Commissioner Pradeep Dahiya, assistant sanitation inspector Waseem, who was engaged through Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam Limited (HKRNL), allegedly edited field photographs using artificial intelligence tools and uploaded them to the grievance portal, as per a TOI report.


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The manipulated images reportedly showed an illegal garbage dumping site as clean, allowing the complaint to be marked as resolved even though no sanitation work had been carried out on the ground.

Officials said the complaint was subsequently closed based on the uploaded photographs.

The order stated that Waseem's actions were used to secure closure of public complaints and that his continuation in service was considered "undesirable and against the corporation’s interests." Following the inquiry, he was terminated with immediate effect.

Employee admitted editing photos during inquiry

MCG officials said a departmental inquiry and personal hearing were conducted after questions were raised about the authenticity of the images. During the proceedings, Waseem reportedly admitted that the photographs had been edited. However, the civic body found his explanation unsatisfactory.

The inquiry described the alleged conduct as: “grave misconduct, fraud, dishonesty, falsification of official records, breach of trust and dereliction of duty.”

Officials further concluded that using AI-generated or AI-altered images to create false evidence on an official government platform amounted to serious fraud in the grievance redressal process.

The order also noted that such actions violated established procedures and fell short of the standards expected from a public servant.

AI detection system reportedly identified manipulation

The case came to light after officials physically inspected the location mentioned in the complaint. According to MCG Additional Commissioner Yash Jaluka, the site was found to still contain garbage despite records showing the issue had been resolved.

“We visited the site and found waste still lying there. When we examined the images using our AI detection mechanism, we found indicators, including a SynthID watermark, suggesting AI tools had been used,” MCG additional commissioner Yash Jaluka told TOI.

Another sanitation inspector dismissed over GPS spoofing allegations

In a separate disciplinary action, MCG also terminated assistant sanitation inspector Sonu. Officials alleged that he used a GPS-spoofing application to mark his attendance on the corporation’s digital solid waste management portal despite not being present at his designated duty location.

The civic body said the action was taken following an investigation into attendance records and location data.

MCG reiterates zero-tolerance stance

Reacting to the developments, Commissioner Pradeep Dahiya emphasized that the corporation would continue taking strict action against any employee found compromising official processes.

“MCG remains committed to transparency, accountability and timely delivery of civic services. Fraud, negligence, manipulation of official records or misuse of position won’t be tolerated under any circumstances, and strict action will continue against any employee found compromising the integrity of the civic body,” Dahiya said.

The case is being viewed as one of the first instances where a civic employee has faced termination over the alleged misuse of AI-generated or AI-edited content in a government grievance redressal system, highlighting the growing need for stronger digital verification mechanisms in public administration.

(With TOI inputs)