Court Rejects Blanket Takedown Request
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday refused to pass a blanket order for removal of allegedly defamatory online content against Raghav Chadha while examining a petition seeking protection of personality rights. However, the court ordered the removal of five specific posts after finding them prima facie defamatory. Justice Subramonium Prasad said in a single line quoted by Bar and Bench: “I have ordered the removal of 5 documents. Rest of the content is not defamatory.”
Personality Rights Argument Not Accepted at This Stage
The petitioner argued that circulating online content, including AI-generated edits, morphed visuals and fabricated claims, violated his personality rights. The court held that at this stage there was no clear case of personality rights infringement and observed that the issue appeared closer to political criticism rather than commercial misuse of identity.
Court Distinguishes Criticism From Defamation
During earlier hearings, the court emphasized that political leaders are subject to scrutiny and criticism. Justice Prasad said in one continuous remark reported by Bar and Bench: “See, the point is this, sir. The first impression in my mind. Prima facie, there is no personality right involved in this case. A decision taken by you in a political arena is being criticised… Undoubtedly, right from independence, we have grown up seeing RK Laxman’s cartoons. The way criticisms are made of decisions taken. Probably at that time, social media had not gone to that extent. Now it has gone to a greater extent.”
Background of the Case
The petition followed allegations on social media accusing Raghav Chadha of misconduct, including claims that he had “sold himself for money.” The plea also sought action against AI-generated deepfakes, synthetic voice cloning, manipulated images and fabricated speeches after his reported political shift from the Aam Aadmi Party to the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Limited Relief Granted
While refusing broad censorship, the court allowed targeted removal of content found prima facie defamatory, indicating that specific unlawful posts can still be restrained even when wider takedown requests are denied.
