The Delhi High Court has permanently restrained several online video channels, individuals and other online entities from circulating deepfake videos and images of journalist Rajat Sharma and India TV, or otherwise misusing Sharma’s name, image, voice and other personality attributes.

Recently, the bench of Justice Jyoti Singh passed the order, protecting Sharma’s personality and publicity rights and India TV’s intellectual property rights.

Sharma and India TV had approached the High Court alleging that several defendants were using artificial intelligence to create and circulate doctored videos featuring Sharma. They alleged that the content distorted his image, voice and other personal attributes and was being used to spread misinformation.

India TV also alleged unauthorised use of its registered trademarks and copyright, along with misappropriation of its goodwill and unfair trade practices.

In December 2024, the High Court had passed an ex parte interim order restraining several defendants from infringing Sharma’s personality and publicity rights and India TV’s intellectual property rights.

The Court had also directed Meta to block or remove the allegedly infringing content and disclose details of the concerned defendants. The Department of Telecommunications and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology were directed to assist in blocking the infringing websites, phone numbers, social media accounts and channels.

During the proceedings, four YouTube channels were added as parties after they were accused of circulating deepfake videos featuring Sharma. In November 2025, Google was directed to take down some of the channels and provide available subscriber information, IP logs and other account details.

The defendants against whom the suit was ultimately decreed had been served but failed to file their written statements. Their right to file the statements was closed by the Joint Registrar in July 2026.

The High Court has also allowed Sharma and India TV to directly approach Meta and Google if fresh URLs or content misusing Sharma’s name, likeness, image, voice, photographs or videos are found.

The platforms have been directed to acknowledge such complaints within 24 hours and take action within the following 36 hours after independently examining them under their respective policies. Sharma has also been given liberty to approach the Court if no action is taken.

India TV has further been given liberty to seek a declaration in a separate proceeding that its trademarks are “well-known” marks under the Trade Marks Act.

Sharma and India TV were represented by advocates Sidharth Chopra, Disha Sharma, Snehima Jauhari and Deepika Pokharia of Saikrishna & Associates.

Google was represented by advocates Aditya Gupta, Vani Kaushik and Rohith Venkatesan.

The Union government authorities were represented by Central Government Standing Counsel Nishant Gautam along with advocates Manish Rawat, Srishti Singh, Mohit Bokoliya and Abhishek Mohanpuria.