The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed social media platforms to immediately remove all objectionable, AI-generated, and deepfake content circulating against Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha. The court termed the material defamatory and ordered its takedown to prevent further harm to the MP's reputation.
Court Order and Legal Action
Justice Sanjeev Narula passed the interim order on a plea filed by Chadha, who sought urgent removal of false and manipulated content widely shared across platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. The court directed the platforms to block access to the specific URLs and ensure no further dissemination of the defamatory material.
Chadha's counsel argued that the content included morphed photos and AI-generated videos falsely depicting the MP in objectionable situations. The court observed that such content could cause irreparable damage to Chadha's public image and reputation, warranting immediate intervention.
Rise of Deepfake Threats
This case highlights growing concerns over AI-generated misinformation targeting public figures. According to a 2025 report by the Cyber Peace Foundation, deepfake incidents in India rose by 230% in the last two years, with politicians being the most frequent targets. The Delhi High Court's order sets a precedent for swift legal recourse against AI-driven defamation.
Chadha, a prominent Aam Aadmi Party leader, said in his plea that the fake content was deliberately created to malign his character and mislead the public. He urged the court to hold the platforms accountable for not proactively removing such harmful material.
Platform Compliance and Next Steps
The court directed the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to ensure compliance with the takedown order. Social media platforms have been given 24 hours to remove the identified content and submit an affidavit confirming compliance. The next hearing is scheduled for July 15.
Legal experts note that this order aligns with the IT Rules, 2021, which mandate platforms to remove unlawful content within 36 hours of receiving a court order. However, critics argue that proactive monitoring by platforms remains inadequate.
