Delhi High Court Protects Ravi Kishan’s Personality Rights, Orders Removal of AI-Generated Obscene Content

The Delhi High Court, in a significant interim order in Ravi Kishan v. Creative Channel Advertising and Marketing Private Limited & Others, has granted protection to the personality rights of actor and Member of Parliament Ravi Kishan. The Court restrained the unauthorised use of his identity and directed the removal of content that allegedly exploits his image, name and likeness without permission.

Justice Jyoti Singh passed the interim order while hearing a suit filed by Ravi Kishan, who alleged that several websites and social media platforms were circulating AI-generated obscene and derogatory content using his identity. He argued that such material was harming his reputation and commercially exploiting his personality without his consent.

The Court restrained the publication and circulation of any vulgar, defamatory or derogatory content that uses Ravi Kishan’s image or refers to his distinctive personality traits. It also directed that infringing material should be removed from online platforms.

The High Court issued directions to major social media intermediaries, including Google, Meta and X Corp. The companies have been instructed to take down the web links identified by Kishan within 72 hours if the original uploaders or domain name registrars fail to remove the content within three days of receiving the Court’s order dated July 2.

The case also raised concerns about the growing misuse of artificial intelligence for creating misleading and offensive digital content. Among the material challenged by Ravi Kishan was a radio segment titled “What is Love with Kavi Kishan” aired on Ishq 104.8 FM. According to him, the programme commercially used his name, image and likeness without authorisation.

Kishan further alleged that an AI-generated video featuring his mock imitation was available on Ishq FM’s official Instagram account. He claimed that such content falsely associated him with material that he neither created nor approved, thereby violating his personality rights.

Taking note of these allegations, the Court passed an injunction against Creative Channel Advertising and Marketing Private Limited, which operates Manoranjan TV Network and owns Ishq 104.8 FM. The interim protection also extends to several unidentified persons, commonly referred to as John Does, who are alleged to have uploaded or circulated the infringing content.

The order reflects the judiciary’s continuing effort to address legal issues arising from AI-generated content and online impersonation. It also reinforces that a person’s identity, image and likeness cannot be commercially exploited or misused without lawful authorisation, particularly when such use damages reputation.

The matter will next be heard by the Delhi High Court on October 15.