Delhi High Court grants interim relief to Godman Aniruddha Bapu against AI deepfakes

The Delhi High Court recently granted relief to spiritual leader Dr Aniruddha Dhairyadhar Joshi, popularly known as Aniruddha Bapu and restrained unidentified persons/ entities from creating or circulating AI-generated deepfake content using Joshi's name, voice and likeness [Aniruddha Dhariyadhar Joshi Vs John Does]..Justice Tushar Rao Gedela passed the interim injunction order in a suit filed by Joshi against John Doe defendants (unknown/ unidentified entities) and social media platforms alleging large-scale dissemination of fabricated videos and images impersonating him online. "In the considered opinion of this Court, the plaintiff has a, prima facie, strong case and having regard to his well-known, popular and well-accepted personality, the balance of convenience is tilted in favour of the plaintiff. In case an ex-parte ad-interim injunction and other directions, as sought, are not passed, irreparable loss and injury which may occasion, may not be compensated in monetary terms," the Court said..According to the suit, Joshi is a spiritual and social leader who has delivered more than 1,400 discourses since 1995 and commands a global following. He claimed that his name, image, voice and speaking style are uniquely identifiable and protected as personality and publicity rights recognised under constitutional privacy and free speech principles.The suit claimed that unidentified persons were using AI tools to create deepfake videos and audio clips that falsely appeared to be endorsed or created by him thereby, misleading followers and harming his reputation.The Court noted that the videos in question had garnered millions of views, with viewers expressing gratitude and seeking guidance, believing the content to be authentic. Joshi also alleged that the material was being used to promote content and products for financial gain by falsely suggesting his endorsement..After hearing the parties, the Court held that Joshi had established a prima facie case and damage to reputation could not be compensated monetarily.The Court restrained John Doe defendants from using Joshi’s name, voice, image, likeness or speaking style, including through AI-generated or deepfake content, for any gain without authorisation.It also directed Google, Meta and X to remove or disable the identified infringing content and similar material within 48 hours of complaint.They were also directed to disclose basic subscriber information of accounts responsible for such content within three weeks.The matter has been listed before the Joint Registrar on April 29 for completion of pleadings and before the judge on August 25..The plaintiff was represented by Senior Advocate Rajshekhar Rao along with a team from Argus Partners comprising R Sudhinder (Senior Partner), Ekta Bhasin (Counsel) and Anand Amit (Associate)..The Union of India was represented by Central Government Standing Counsel (CGSC) Dhananjay Rana. Google was represented by Aditya Gupta and Vani Kaushik.Meta Platforms were represented by Varun Pathak and Yash Karunakaran..[Read Order].Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.