Criticism of political decision not violation of personality rights, file defamation case: Delhi High Court to Raghav Chadha

The Delhi High Court on Thursday said that criticism of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) Raghav Chadha's political decisions cannot be termed as violation of personality rights and Chadha can only sue for defamation when it comes to such criticism..Justice Subramonium Prasad said that the content flagged by Chadha prima facie did not reveal any violation of personality rights."See, the point is this, sir. The first impression in my mind. Prima facie, there is no personality right involved in this case. A decision taken by you in a political arena is being criticised... Undoubtedly, right from independence, we have grown up seeing RK Laxman’s cartoons. The way criticisms are made of decisions taken. Probably at that time, social media had not gone to that extent. Now it has gone to a greater extent," the Court said. Justice Prasad asked Chadha's lawyer, Senior Advocate Rajiv Nayar, if a political leader can be so sensitive. "At the end of the day, it’s still within the realm of a comment by a person. Please understand. A comment by a person criticising a political decision from where does… When you look at all these photographs… Please understand it is an attack or a critique… Please understand. As a political leader, can you be so sensitive?" the Court said. .Chadha moved the Court seeking injunction against AI- generated deepfakes, manipulated videos, synthetic voice cloning, morphed visuals, fabricated speeches, and deceptive digital content circulated across social media platforms.These were circulated after his recent switch from Aam Aadmi Party to Bharatiya Janata Party..Nayar said that there are photos showing the Prime Minister showering him with money and that in some pictures, Chadha is depicted as wearing a saree. "He is shown in sareee. We are seeing PM distributing, showering money," Nayar said. However, the Bench asked whether the same can amount to violation of a personality right."Please come to your prayers. It is not a defamation suit. It is a suit on the basis of a personality right," the Court said."It is defamation," Nayar said. "Then you file an application to amend the suit," the Court told Nayar."I will register the plaint but for any relief, I will have to hear the other side," the Bench stated. "There is no other side," Nayar replied. "Then I will appoint an amicus. Prima facie, these are only criticisms of a political decision," Justice Prasad remarked."I am pressing for interim relief. My lord may decline," Nayar said. "Okay, press it," the Court said. "It (content flagged) is profane and says that I have sold myself for money," Nayar said.The Court then proceeded to reserve judgment in the plea for interim relief..Prima facie, these are only criticisms of a political decision. As a political leader, can you be so sensitive?Delhi High Court .Chadha's suit was filed through advocates Satatya Anand and Nikhil Aradhe..Chandha joins the long list of actors, cricketers, politicians and other notable personalities who have approached the High Court in recent years over their personality and publicity rights. Earlier, actors such as Anil Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan have secured injunctions against unauthorised use of their name, voice, image and likeness and AI-generated content. Recently, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's personality rights were protected by the High Court. .[Read Live Coverage]