In a decisive ruling that highlights the rising legal tension around deepfake technology and personal rights, the Delhi High Court ordered the removal of doctored AI-generated content that misused the name and likeness of renowned spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev. The court’s interim order comes in response to a plea filed by the Isha Foundation, alleging that manipulated media featuring Sadhguru was being used to propagate scams and mislead the public.
The Court’s Directive: A Digital Detox for Deceptive Content
Justice Neena Bansal Krishna, presiding over the matter, instructed social media platforms, websites, and search engines to take down or disable access to the manipulated visuals, which included fabricated arrest videos, fake endorsements, and altered audios of Sadhguru. These AI-manipulated materials allegedly associated Sadhguru with cryptocurrency scams and false investment opportunities, exploiting his reputation to gain public trust.
The court acknowledged that while freedom of expression is a constitutional right, it cannot be used as a shield to spread disinformation, particularly when it infringes on an Individual’s Personality Rights & Public Image. The order was also extended to the Indian government and intermediaries, invoking provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the recently notified IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
Legal Implications: Personality Rights Meet Generative AI
This case brings into sharp focus the evolving nature of personality rights in the age of AI. Traditionally associated with celebrities, sportspersons, and public figures, these rights are now being tested against powerful generative tools capable of creating hyper-realistic synthetic content. The misuse of such content not only dilutes public trust but also raises serious concerns about data privacy, cyber fraud, and reputational damage.
The Delhi High Court’s intervention is a significant development in shaping India’s jurisprudence around deepfakes and unauthorized digital impersonation. It also sets a precedent for future cases, possibly paving the way for legislative reform in this domain.
India’s Larger Legal Landscape on AI: Still a Work in Progress
India is still in the nascent stages of formulating robust regulatory mechanisms for AI. The recently constituted AI Copyright Committee, under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), has already run into trouble. The resignation of an appointed member over the lack of technical expertise in the committee reflects broader systemic challenges in keeping pace with the fast-moving AI ecosystem.
Furthermore, legal disputes such as the one initiated by Asian News International (ANI) against OpenAI for unauthorized use of its copyrighted content reveal the growing strain between AI developers and content creators. These legal flashpoints underscore the urgency for a national AI framework that addresses not just innovation, but also rights protection, misinformation, and ethical AI development.
The Way Forward: Legal Literacy, Regulatory Reform, and Technological Accountability
The Delhi High Court’s ruling serves as a much-needed intervention in the face of increasing AI-driven misinformation. But isolated judicial actions are not enough. India must prioritize the development of a cohesive legal framework that governs AI-generated content, ensuring that individual rights are protected without stifling technological advancement.
This would involve:
- Codifying protections against digital impersonation and deepfakes.
- Mandating transparency and watermarking in AI-generated media.
- Enhancing the accountability of intermediaries and content-hosting platforms.
- Encouraging public education on media literacy and digital hygiene.
As India races ahead with its Digital India vision and AI-powered economy, these developments serve as a critical reminder: without robust legal guardrails, technology can become a double-edged sword.
REFERENCES
- India Today. (2025, May 30). Delhi High Court orders takedown of AI-doctored content of Sadhguru. https://www.indiatoday.in/india/law-news/story/delhi-high-court-orders-takedown-of-ai-doctored-content-of-sadhguru-2733240-2025-05-30
- Times of India. (2025, May 30). Delhi HC directs websites to pull down content misusing Sadhguru’s identity. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/delhi-hc-directs-websites-to-pull-down-content-misusing-sadhgurus-identity/articleshow/121516890.cms
- IT Act, 2000 and IT Rules, 2021. Government of India.