Delhi High Court Orders Removal of Certain Social Media Posts Targeting MP Raghav Chadha

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the removal of certain objectionable social media posts targeting MP Raghav Chadha while holding that the remaining content was not, prima facie, defamatory.

Pronouncing the interim order, Justice Subramonium Prasad said the case did not involve personality rights but ordered the takedown of specific content. "I said no personality rights is involved. However, I have asked to take down (certain content)," the judge said, adding, "Rest all, the content is not defamatory prima facie."

A detailed copy of the order is awaited.

Also Read: HC refuses relief to Abhishek Banerjee in voice sample case

The court had reserved its verdict on May 21 on Chadha's plea seeking interim relief against the alleged offending content.

Chadha, who has exited the Aam Aadmi Party to join the BJP, had moved the high court seeking the immediate removal of allegedly false, AI-generated and deepfake content circulating on social media. He contended that the manipulated content was malicious, fabricated and gravely prejudicial to his reputation and personality rights.

In his plea, Chadha argued that artificial intelligence and deepfake technology were being used without authorisation to create and disseminate manipulated content, amounting to a serious infringement of his legal and constitutional rights.

Also Read: Delhi HC asks CAT to re-examine plea challenging Forest Service exam answer key

Several public figures, including actors Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan and Salman Khan, Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, journalist Sudhir Chaudhary, podcaster Raj Shamani and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, have previously approached the Delhi High Court seeking protection of their personality and publicity rights. The court had granted them interim relief.