Delhi HC orders takedown of defamatory posts against Raghav Chadha

The Delhi High Court has directed the removal of certain social media posts found to be prima facie defamatory against Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, granting him partial interim relief in a case involving allegedly false and AI-generated content.

Justice Subramonium Prasad clarified that the case was about defamatory content and not personality rights, while observing that not all the material challenged by Chadha appeared defamatory at this stage.

Chadha had approached the court seeking the removal of posts that allegedly portrayed him as having "sold himself for money" after his political move.

The court ordered the takedown of specific objectionable posts but declined broader relief, holding that some of the remaining content constituted political criticism rather than defamation. A detailed copy of the order is awaited.

The case has drawn attention to the growing use of AI-generated and manipulated content on social media and the legal challenges surrounding online reputation, free speech and political criticism. The ruling underscores the judiciary's effort to strike a balance between protecting an individual's reputation and safeguarding freedom of expression.