An Indian court has ordered a criminal investigation into the purchase of hundreds of books suspected of containing AI-generated content and false authorship, escalating a controversy that has spread across public libraries in the southern state of Tamil Nadu.
The Madras High Court's Madurai Bench directed the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) to register a First Information Report (FIR) and freeze bank accounts linked to Agal Vilakku Publications, its proprietor Mohan and other individuals implicated in the disputed purchases.
The November 10 ruling also directed authorities to identify officials involved in procuring the books, examine procurement records and establish how much public money was spent on the publications. The court further called for disciplinary action against officials found responsible for irregularities.
The investigation centres on Periyar Arivulagam, a seven-storey library and science centre in Coimbatore, constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 300 crore ($34 million). Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay inaugurated the facility on October 16, 2026.
The controversy emerged after renowned Tamil novelist Perumal Murugan questioned the authenticity and quality of books stocked in the library's Tamil section. Murugan, who had served on a committee recommending publications for the facility, raised concerns about nearly 1,800 books supplied by Agal Vilakku Publications.
He questioned the credentials of unfamiliar authors, questionable International Standard Book Numbers (ISBNs), unusual pricing and factual inaccuracies in several publications.
Among the disputed titles was Naladiyar Vaazhvin Vazhikatti, a 300-page book reportedly priced at Rs 1,445. The publication allegedly misrepresented Naladiyar, a classical Tamil literary work comprising 400 four-line verses on morality and ethics.
Another book reportedly attributed the ancient Tamil work Madurai Kanchi to an incorrect author.
The controversy also extended to the Kalaignar Centenary Library in Madurai, where a publication titled Democracy and People's Rights in the Contemporary World named renowned economist Jean Drèze as its author. Drèze publicly denied writing the book, raising concerns about the unauthorised use of his name.
Investigations have since expanded to other public libraries. Tamil Nadu Education Minister A Rajmohan said 523 books had been removed from Chennai's historic Connemara Public Library following preliminary checks.
Reports have also emerged of thousands of suspected AI-generated publications being identified at other facilities, including Tenkasi District Central Library.
Rajmohan has accused the previous Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led administration of overseeing the questionable purchases, describing the allegations as potentially India's first AI scam. The DMK has rejected the accusations as politically motivated and called for an investigation into the procurement process.
The controversy has also attracted criticism from writers, researchers, academics and publishers, with more than 160 individuals signing a joint statement demanding an independent inquiry, the release of procurement records and an audit of public library collections.
On November 11, the court continued examining the matter, with the Director of Public Libraries seeking additional time to provide details of officials involved in the purchases. The court directed the official to submit an affidavit identifying those responsible and explaining the procurement process.
The investigation is expected to establish whether AI-generated or falsely attributed publications were deliberately supplied to public institutions, how they passed through the selection process and whether public funds were misused.
