Delhi High Court bars misuse of Aniruddhacharya’s image in viral videos

In a significant development concerning digital misuse of personality rights, the Delhi High Court has granted interim protection to renowned spiritual orator Aniruddhacharya Maharaj against unauthorised and misleading online content circulating across social media platforms.

Represented by Deepriya Snehi and Yashika Kaushik, founding partners of Asraya Legal, a law firm based in New Delhi, the petitioner argued that the circulation of such manipulated content posed a serious threat to the preacher’s reputation and could mislead his followers. The Court, presided over by Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, passed directions restraining the continued dissemination of infringing content on platforms including YouTube, Instagram, and Google search results. The matter involved morphed videos, AI-generated deepfakes, and selectively edited clips that allegedly misrepresented the preacher’s statements and persona. During the proceedings, the Court acknowledged the evolving nature of online harm, particularly the risks posed by artificial intelligence-driven content and deepfake technology. It was specifically highlighted that certain clips falsely depicted the spiritual leader making statements he had never made, thereby constituting actionable harm.

While the Court engaged in a broader discussion on criticism, free speech, and the role of public figures, it drew a clear distinction between legitimate critique and fabricated or manipulated content. Recognising this distinction, the Court found merit in granting interim protection against content that prima facie appeared to distort the identity and speech of the petitioner.

Importantly, the Court noted that such technologically altered material, including deepfakes, raises serious concerns and warrants judicial intervention where personality rights are infringed. It was held accordingly, the Plaintiff has established a, prima facie, case for grant of an ex parte injunction. Balance of convenience lies in favour of the Plaintiff in the present case considering that the Defendants are infringing his personality rights as well as right to privacy. If an injunction is not granted in the present case, it will lead to irreparable loss/harm to the Plaintiff and his family, not only financially but also with his right to live with dignity.