Deepfake – Delhi High Court Directs Removal of Select Posts on Raghav Chadha
Deepfake – The Delhi High Court has directed the removal of certain social media posts targeting Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, finding that specific material warranted interim action. At the same time, the court declined to grant the wider relief sought in his petition, observing that most of the content placed before it did not appear to be defamatory at this stage of the proceedings. A detailed copy of the order is yet to be released.
Court Limits Interim Relief
Justice Subramonium Prasad, while delivering the interim order on Wednesday, clarified that the case did not involve the issue of personality rights. The court, however, instructed that particular posts identified during the hearing should be taken down. The judge also indicated that the remaining material did not, on a preliminary review, satisfy the legal threshold for defamation. The detailed reasoning behind the decision is expected to become clear once the written order is made available.
Petition Raised Concerns Over AI-Generated Material
Raghav Chadha had approached the Delhi High Court seeking urgent intervention against social media posts that he described as fabricated, AI-generated and created using deepfake technology. According to the petition, the content had been circulated without his consent and contained manipulated visuals and information that allegedly misrepresented him in the public domain.
The plea argued that such digital content was intentionally designed to damage his public image and credibility. Chadha maintained that the circulation of these posts had caused significant reputational harm and sought immediate removal of the material from online platforms.
Arguments Presented Before the Court
The High Court had reserved its decision on interim relief after hearing submissions from all parties on May 21. During the proceedings, Chadha’s legal team contended that the alleged misuse of artificial intelligence and deepfake tools amounted to an infringement of his legal as well as constitutional protections. The petition also emphasized that the creation and distribution of manipulated content without authorisation should attract judicial intervention to prevent further harm.
While acknowledging the concerns raised, the court chose to provide only limited interim relief, directing the removal of selected posts while allowing the remaining issues to be examined during the course of the case.
Growing Legal Focus on Deepfake Content
The case adds to a growing number of legal disputes involving the misuse of artificial intelligence and digitally manipulated media. Courts across India have increasingly been called upon to examine claims involving deepfake technology, identity misuse and the unauthorised publication of altered content on digital platforms.
Public figures have frequently sought judicial protection against such material, arguing that manipulated images, videos and audio recordings can spread rapidly online and affect personal reputation as well as public trust.
Similar Cases Before the Delhi High Court
The Delhi High Court has previously dealt with comparable petitions filed by several well-known personalities seeking protection of their personality and publicity rights. Among those who have approached the court are actors Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan and Salman Khan, Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, journalist Sudhir Chaudhary, podcaster Raj Shamani and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan.
In several of those matters, the court granted interim protection after considering allegations of unauthorised use of names, images or digitally manipulated content. The outcome of Chadha’s case is likely to be closely watched as legal questions surrounding artificial intelligence and deepfake technology continue to evolve