Delhi HC shields Ravi Kishan from AI misuse and fake online content

NEW DELHI: In the age of artificial intelligence, even your identity can go viral but the courts are drawing a line.

The Delhi High Court has granted interim protection to the personality rights of actor and politician Ravi Kishan, ordering the removal of unauthorised and allegedly obscene content that uses his name, image and likeness without consent, amid growing legal scrutiny of AI-generated content and deepfakes.

Justice Jyoti Singh, hearing a suit filed by Kishan, restrained the publication and circulation of any vulgar, defamatory or derogatory material exploiting the actor’s identity. According to a report by Bar & Bench, the court also directed Google, Meta and X Corp to remove the identified content within 72 hours if the original publishers and domain registrars fail to comply within three days of receiving the court’s 2 July order.

Kishan approached the court alleging that his identity had been commercially exploited through multiple forms of online content, including AI-generated material created and circulated without his authorisation.

Among the content challenged was a radio programme titled “What is Love with Kavi Kishan”, aired by Ishq 104.8 FM, which the actor argued had used his name, image and likeness for commercial purposes without his consent. He also alleged that an AI-generated video featuring a mock imitation of him had been uploaded to the radio station’s official Instagram account, further violating his personality rights.

Taking note of the allegations, the High Court issued an injunction against Creative Channel Advertising and Marketing Private Limited, also known as Manoranjan TV Network, which owns and operates Ishq 104.8 FM.

The injunction extends beyond the named defendants to include unidentified individuals commonly referred to as John Doe defendants who may have created, uploaded or circulated similar infringing material online.

The order adds to a growing body of judicial decisions addressing the misuse of artificial intelligence and deepfake technology. As AI tools make it increasingly easy to generate convincing imitations of celebrities and public figures, Indian courts are witnessing a rise in cases centred on personality rights, digital identity and unauthorised commercial exploitation.

The matter is scheduled to come up for its next hearing on 15 October. Ravi Kishan was represented by senior advocates N. Hariharan and Sanjay Upadhaya, along with advocates Neeraj Grover, Krishna Kumar Shukla, Madhav Anand, Pranav Prasoon, Alvin Antony, Mansi Bachani, Kunal Khanna and Kartik Mitra.

The latest ruling reinforces the judiciary’s growing willingness to extend legal protection to public personalities as the boundaries between real and AI-generated identities become increasingly blurred.