The Delhi High Court on Thursday issued notice on pleas filed by actor and BJP member of Parliament Kangana Ranaut and actor Vijay Deverakonda, seeking the protection of their personality rights.
Justice Vikas Mahajan heard preliminary submissions in both matters today, before issuing notice to seek a response from social media intermediaries and entities accused of publishing content violating the actors' personality rights.
In his plea, Deverakonda has flagged content that impersonates him, as well as fake endorsements and fake websites that his counsel argued were misleading the public.
He has sought the takedown of obscene, defamatory and abusive content, including content created through artificial intelligence (AI), deepfakes and digital manipulation using the actor's personality traits.
In the suit, he also flagged that there are mobile apps available on Google Play Store that exploit his personality attributes without his consent.
He has also flagged the unauthorised commercial exploitation of his personality rights in the sale of merchandise like t-shirts, mugs and other products.
He has sought the takedown of such content and products from Meta platforms, X Corp, Google, Flipkart, Amazon, Meesho and Red Bubble.
Senior Advocate Swathi Sukumar appeared for the actor today along with advocates Rahul Kukreja and Sahil Raveen. She took the Court through various online posts that she said violated Deverakonda's personality rights.
Justice Mahajan has issued summons on the suit and also sought a response from the defendants named in the case (social media intermediaries and those found circulating offensive content) on Deverakonda's plea for an interim injunction.
The judge further indicated that he will pass an interim order in this matter later.
"Okay I will pass the order," he said.
The matter will be heard next on February 2, 2027.
Meanwhile, Kangana Ranaut's counsel today flagged fake news circulating about the actress and obscene AI-generated material uploaded online about her.
The Court, however, noted that some of the content referred to was only satire.
"This is satirical content. What issue can you have?" the judge asked.
Advocate Saket Sikri, appearing for Ranaut, stated that he is not pressing for takdown of such content for now.
Sikri also told the Court that some of the defendants named in Ranaut's suit have taken down the offending material she had flagged, after being served a copy of her suit ahead of today's hearing.
The Court asked Sikri to delete such defendants from the array of parties in her suit. The Court proceeded to issue summons on Ranaut's suit and notice on her plea for an interim injunction.
Ranaut's plea will be heard next on February 3, 2027.
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