High Court
Sapphire Media wins BIG 92.7 FM; gets favourable order from NCLAT
MUMBAI: It’s a big – actually Big 92.7 FM – win for Haryana-outdoor firm and Indian Daily TV channel owner Sapphire Media. It has got a favorable order from the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) for it to acquire the Reliance Broadcast Network run radio network Big FM 92.7.
The principal bench of the NCLAT, Delhi on Monday dismissed the plea filed by Radio Mirchi, Orange FM and others against the NCLT judgement which approved the resolution plan of Sapphire Media for Big 92.7 FM.
The NCLAT Bench comprising chairperson justice Ashok Bhushan and (technical) member Barun Mitra in its order today said that “in view of the foregoing discussions and conclusions, we do not find any ground to interfere in the order of NCLT dated 06.05.2024 impugned in the above appeals. In result, all the appeals are dismissed.”
Earlier, the NCLT bench comprising technical member Madhu Sinha and judicial member Reeta Kohli had approved the resolution plan submitted by Sapphire Media in its order dated 6 May 2024. As per the plan, Sapphire Media would pay Rs 261 crore to secured and operational creditors against the total claims of Rs 947.5 crore.
The resolution professional subsequently filed an application with NCLT Mumbai seeking approval of Sapphire Media’s resolution plan.
Big FM 92.7 FM , owned by Reliance Broadcast Network, has been going through the insolvency process since February 2023.. It is the country’s largest radio network with 58 stations and a reach of over 1,200 towns and 50,000+ villages will reinforce Sapphire Media’s aggressive expansions plans in the media space.
Sapphire Media is promoted by Aditya Vashistha and Kaithal-based businessman Sahil Mangla. Sapphire media runs a national Hindi news channel in name of India Daily and is one of the biggest outdoor advertising companies in India.
High Court
Bombay High Court questions AI celebrity deepfakes in Shilpa Shetty case
Justice questions legality of unconsented AI personas, platforms directed to respond.
MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court just put AI on the witness stand because when a chatbot starts chatting as Shilpa Shetty without asking, even the bench wants to know who gave permission. The Bombay High Court on Wednesday expressed serious concerns over the legality of artificial intelligence tools that simulate celebrity personalities without consent, during a personality rights suit filed by actor Shilpa Shetty.
Justice Sharmila Deshmukh, hearing the matter, questioned platforms that allow users to interact with AI-generated versions of actors without authorisation. The court noted that one accused AI chatbot website continued using Shetty’s personality without permission, prompting the judge to ask about the legal basis for such operations.
When the lawyer for the AI company argued that the system relied on algorithms and did not require celebrity consent, Justice Deshmukh challenged the platform’s right to recreate and make public a person’s identity in this manner. She observed that while users uploading photographs raised one set of issues, AI systems generating content based on recognised personalities posed distinct legal and ethical questions especially when the platform itself acknowledged the content was not real.
The court directed the platform to file a detailed response explaining its position.
The case involves Shetty seeking restrictions on more than 30 platforms including e-commerce websites and AI services accused of hosting or enabling misuse of her image and circulation of deepfake content.
The Bench also raised concerns about Youtube commentary videos discussing the ongoing proceedings involving Shetty and her husband, questioning whether unverified discussions could malign parties without journalistic checks.
Counsel for Google, Tenor and the AI entity informed the court that flagged infringing URLs had been removed. Shetty’s team disputed this, leading the court to allow her to file an application alleging non-compliance if links remained active.
Tenor objected to the broad injunction sought, arguing it functions as an intermediary GIF platform without capacity for proactive monitoring. The court directed Tenor to file an affidavit opposing the order.
E-commerce platforms including Amazon stated they had removed unauthorised listings using Shetty’s name and image, and would continue to act on specific notifications.
The court reiterated that directions for intermediaries would operate on a “take-down on notice” basis, requiring removal of infringing content once flagged.
As deepfakes blur the line between real and rendered, the Bombay High Court isn’t just hearing a case, it’s asking the bigger question: in the age of AI avatars, who really owns your face?
