High Court Orders Takedown of AI Videos Targeting Delhi CM Rekha Gupta

The Delhi High Court has ordered the immediate removal of content at six URLs identified by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta in a suit over allegedly defamatory AI-generated videos, images and social media posts. Justice Manoj Jain passed the order on Friday, November 6, observing that public figures must face scrutiny and political humour, but their dignity could not be compromised under the cover of satire.

Gupta’s suit against the Aam Aadmi Party and others seeks a permanent injunction against the publication and circulation of the material. The court found that she had established a prima facie case for relief and said the speed at which the content could spread online risked causing irreparable injury.

What Gupta’s Suit Alleged

According to the suit, the material appeared on AAP’s official and verified social media accounts and depicted Gupta as a liquor vendor, hawker and delivery agent. It also allegedly referred to a purported “Har Har Rekha or Ghar Ghar Theka” scheme.

Gupta’s counsel described the videos and images as highly stigmatic and disgraceful and sought their immediate removal. The court examined material allegedly showing the chief minister serving drinks to men at night amid a brawl, with a romantic soundtrack accompanying the visuals.

Justice Jain also referred to another video allegedly depicting Gupta and the Delhi deputy chief minister pouring liquor and ice cubes. The AI-generated visuals appeared to be a “near-perfect imitation”, the court noted, and could create the impression that Gupta herself was involved in selling liquor.

Court Draws a Line on Political Satire

The court said political parties were entitled to criticise government policies, decisions and administrative actions. Holding public office invited greater scrutiny, but offensive AI-generated portrayals that allegedly damaged an individual’s dignity could not automatically qualify as permissible political satire.

“Satire may though hurt the conscience of any individual, but it cannot be permitted to create an irreparable wound on someone’s dignity,” the court observed.

Justice Jain said there was a thin line between humour and satire and an offensive attack on personal dignity. “When it comes to mere humour or satire, the Court may not interfere but when a person’s dignity is attacked, tarnished and ridiculed, it becomes duty of the Court to adopt appropriate responsive measures,” he said.

The court also noted that AI had made highly realistic videos and images easier to produce. Responsibility for creating and publishing the material, however, remained with the people using the technology.

Six URLs Must Be Removed Immediately

Finding that the balance of convenience favoured Gupta, the court directed defendants numbered 3, 4 and 5 in the suit to take down the six URLs identified in her plaint forthwith. It said the material could circulate at lightning speed on social media and cause irreparable harm.

The court issued summons to the defendants and directed them to submit written statements within 30 days of receiving them. The suit is listed for further consideration on December 4.

With inputs from ANI