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Delhi HC Orders Takedown of AI Chatbots Misusing Sonakshi Sinha's Likeness

The Delhi High Court has issued an ex parte injunction, ordering AI platforms and websites to immediately cease using Sonakshi Sinha's name, image, and likeness without permission. The court mandated the removal of specified infringing content within 36 hours, recognizing the violation of her personality and publicity rights. It noted the unauthorized use was creating AI chatbots and promoting products, sometimes generating obscene content, causing irreparable harm. The case will proceed with further hearings scheduled for 2026.

Key Points: Delhi HC Bans AI Chatbots Using Sonakshi Sinha's Persona

  • Ex parte injunction against AI platforms
  • 36-hour takedown deadline for infringing content
  • Protection of celebrity personality rights
  • Misuse for obscene content and false endorsements
2 min read

Delhi HC orders takedown of AI chatbots, websites misusing Sonakshi Sinha's persona; grants ex parte injunction

Delhi High Court orders immediate takedown of AI chatbots and websites misusing Sonakshi Sinha's image, voice, and likeness without authorization.

"Such acts... were causing irreparable harm to her reputation and goodwill. - Delhi High Court"

New Delhi, March 23

The Delhi High Court has directed multiple Artificial Intelligence platforms, websites and unidentified entities to immediately stop using actor Sonakshi Sinha's name, image, voice and likeness without authorisation, and ordered the removal of infringing content within 36 hours.

Passing an ex parte ad interim injunction, Justice Jyoti Singh restrained several defendants, including AI chatbot platforms and various e-commerce websites, from directly or indirectly exploiting or misappropriating the actor's personality attributes for commercial or personal gain.

The court specifically barred use of her persona through technologies such as artificial intelligence, generative AI, deepfakes, chatbots and related tools.

The Court further directed defendant platforms, including chatbot services and online retailers, to take down specified URLs listed in Annexure-A of the order within 36 hours of receiving the directions.

Issuing summons in the suit, the Court granted 30 days to the defendants to file their written statements, while allowing the plaintiff to file replication within 30 days thereafter. The matter has been listed before the Joint Registrar on April 10, 2026, for further proceedings relating to pleadings and admission or denial of documents.

The Court also issued notice on the plaintiff's injunction application and listed it for further hearing on July 6, 2026.

In its prima facie observations, the Court noted that Sonakshi Sinha has established a strong case, observing that several defendants were unlawfully using her likeness, voice and identity to create AI chatbots and promote products, including generating obscene and objectionable content. Such acts, the Court said, were causing irreparable harm to her reputation and goodwill.

The Court recognised that personality and publicity rights protect a celebrity's name, likeness and other identifiable attributes, and held that unauthorised use, particularly through AI tools and misleading endorsements, violates these rights and cannot be permitted.

Additionally, the Court allowed procedural applications filed by the plaintiff, including exemption from pre-institution mediation due to urgency, permission to file additional documents, and filing of confidential documents in sealed cover.

The suit concerns allegations that AI chatbot platforms and multiple online sellers were creating interactive bots impersonating the actor and using her identity to sell goods or generate content without her consent, falsely suggesting endorsement and, in some instances, depicting her in objectionable contexts.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

A
Aman W
Good move by the Delhi HC. But I hope this doesn't set a precedent where every minor use of a public figure's image becomes a legal battle. The line between fair use, parody, and infringement in the digital age needs to be very clearly defined by our laws.
R
Rohit P
Finally! The "obscene and objectionable content" part is the most disturbing. Using AI to tarnish someone's reputation for clicks or sales is disgusting. The 36-hour takedown order is crucial. Tech platforms in India need to be more proactive in policing this, not waiting for court orders.
S
Sarah B
As someone working in tech, this case highlights a massive regulatory gap. India needs a comprehensive digital persons act, and fast. The law is always playing catch-up with technology. What about ordinary people who can't afford high-profile lawyers? Their likeness can be misused just as easily.
K
Karthik V
Respect to Sonakshi Sinha for taking a stand. It's not just about money, it's about dignity. In our culture, a person's izzat is everything. Using AI to make fake endorsements or worse, inappropriate content, is a direct attack on that. The court has done the right thing by recognizing the "irreparable harm".
N
Nikhil C
While I agree with the principle, the timeline is concerning. The next hearing is in July 2026? And final pleadings in 2026? That's over two years away! The interim order is good, but justice delayed is justice denied. The legal system needs to move faster for digital-age crimes.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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