The Delhi High Court on Friday ordered the removal of six AI-generated social media posts and videos portraying Chief Minister Rekha Gupta as a liquor vendor, saying political satire could not be used to attack an individual’s dignity.
Justice Manoj Jain granted interim relief in Gupta’s defamation suit against the Aam Aadmi Party and others. The takedown order covers five posts on X and one on Facebook.
The court said holding public office invited greater scrutiny, but an individual’s dignity could not be compromised.
COURT QUESTIONS AI-GENERATED PORTRAYALS
Gupta’s legal team, led by advocate Sameer Rohatgi, argued that the posts went beyond political satire and damaged her reputation.
The material allegedly depicted her as a liquor vendor, hawker and delivery agent, and as the head of a purported “Har Har Rekha or Ghar Ghar Theka” scheme. One video showed Gupta and Deputy Chief Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh pouring liquor and ice cubes, according to Live Law.
The court said political parties were entitled to criticise government policies and decisions, but the content in question crossed the line.
“Satire may though hurt conscience of any individual but it cannot be permitted to create irreparable wound on someone’s dignity,” Live Law quoted the Delhi High Court as saying.
POSTS TO BE REMOVED IMMEDIATELY
Finding a prima facie case in Gupta’s favour, the court directed the platforms to remove the six URLs immediately. It said the speed at which such content circulated on social media could cause irreparable harm.
The court issued summons to the defendants and asked them to file written statements within 30 days of receiving them. The matter will be considered further on December 4, Live Law reported.
The order grants interim relief; the defamation suit remains pending.
EARLIER COURT ORDERS ON AI MISUSE
Courts have also intervened against the unauthorised use of AI-generated likenesses.
In September 2023, the Delhi High Court protected actor Anil Kapoor against the commercial misuse of his name, image, voice and other attributes, including through AI and deepfake technology.
While Kapoor’s case concerned personality rights and commercial exploitation, Gupta’s suit concerns the limits of political satire when AI-generated content allegedly damages an individual’s reputation and dignity.
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