Delhi High Court bars misuse of AI deepfakes infringing Rajat Sharma’s personality rights

The Delhi High Court has permanently barred various online video channels, individuals and online entities (defendants) from circulating deepfake videos and images of journalist Rajat Sharma and India TV and misusing Sharma’s personality attributes [Rajat Sharma Vs Tamara Doc]..Justice Jyoti Singh restrained the defendants from infringing Sharma’s personality and publicity rights as well as India TV’s intellectual property rights. The order was passed on August 24..Sharma and India TV had approached the Court seeking protection against infringement of his personality and publicity rights, infringement of India TV’s registered trademarks, misappropriation of goodwill, unfair trade practices and copyright violations.They alleged that several defendants were spreading misinformation through artificial intelligence-generated doctored videos containing distorted and modified images, voices and other personality traits of Sharma.They also alleged unauthorised use of India TV’s registered trademarks and violation of its copyright..In December 2024, the High Court had passed an ex parte interim order restraining several defendants from infringing Sharma’s personality and publicity rights and India TV’s intellectual property.Meta was then directed to block or remove the impugned content and disclose details of the concerned defendants. The Department of Telecommunications and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology were also directed to facilitate the blocking of infringing websites, telephone numbers, social-media accounts and channels.During the pendency of the suit, four YouTube channels were made party to the case after they were accused of circulating deepfake videos using Sharma’s personality attributes.In November 2025, Google was directed to take down some of these YouTube channels and disclose available subscriber information, IP logs and other account details..The defendants, against whom the suit was eventually decreed, had been served but failed to file written statements. Their right to do so was closed by the Joint Registrar in July 2026.The Court also gave Sharma and India TV liberty to directly approach Meta and Google with details of any fresh URLs or content involving misuse of Sharma’s name, likeness, image, voice, photographs or videos.The platforms have to acknowledge such requests within 24 hours and take action within 36 hours thereafter, after independently examining the complaint under their respective policies. Sharma can approach the Court again if no action is taken.India TV was also given liberty to seek a declaration in a subsequent suit that its trademarks are “well-known” marks under the Trade Marks Act..Sharma and India TV were represented by advocates Sidharth Chopra, Disha Sharma, Snehima Jauhari and Deepika Pokharia from Saikrishna & Associates. .Google was represented by advocates Aditya Gupta, Vani Kaushik and Rohith Venkatesan. The Union government authorities were represented by Central Government Standing Counsel Nishant Gautam along with advocates Manish Rawat, Srishti Singh, Mohit Bokoliya and Abhishek Mohanpuria..[Read Judgment]