The Delhi High Court has granted interim protection to the personality rights of actor-politician Ravi Kishan and directed the removal of online content allegedly involving the unauthorised commercial exploitation of his identity, including AI-generated obscene, derogatory and defamatory material circulating on websites and social media platforms.
The single-judge bench of Justice Jyoti Singh passed an interim injunction restraining the publication, reproduction, dissemination, communication to the public or commercial use of any content using Ravi Kishan’s name, image, likeness, personality traits or other identifiable attributes without his consent. The Court held that such unauthorised use would, at the interim stage, amount to infringement of his personality and publicity rights.
The Court also issued directions to intermediaries, including Google, Meta Platforms and X Corp, to remove or disable access to the web links identified by the plaintiff within 72 hours if the persons or entities responsible for uploading the content, or the concerned domain name registrars, fail to take it down within three days of receiving the Court’s order dated July 2.
The interim directions were passed in a civil suit instituted by Kishan seeking protection of his personality rights against the circulation of AI-generated content and other unauthorised digital material allegedly exploiting his identity without permission. The suit also sought directions against the continued online dissemination of such content across multiple platforms.
Among the instances highlighted before the Court was a radio programme titled *What is Love with Kavi Kishan*, aired on Ishq 104.8 FM. Ravi Kishan contended that the programme commercially exploited his name, image and likeness without his authorisation, thereby violating his personality rights. He further pointed to an AI-generated video allegedly featuring a mock imitation of him that was available on Ishq FM’s official Instagram account.
Taking note of these allegations, the High Court passed an interim injunction against Creative Channel Advertising and Marketing Private Limited, also known as Manoranjan TV Network, which owns and operates Ishq 104.8 FM. The single-judge Bench also extended the interim relief to unidentified persons impleaded as John Doe defendants, who were alleged to have created, uploaded, published or circulated infringing content involving Ravi Kishan’s identity across digital platforms. The matter has been listed for further hearing on October 15.
