Delhi High Court Reserves Verdict in Sadhguru Deepfake Petition Over AI Misuse

Jaggi Vasudev seeks legal protection against AI-generated impersonation; Court deliberates on broader digital rights implications

HH News Desk 3 weeks agoLast Updated: June 8, 2025

8 3 minutes read

New Delhi, May 31, 2025 — The Delhi High Court has reserved its order in a high-profile case involving Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, who approached the court seeking protection against what his legal team described as “blatantly unauthorized” use of his name, image, and voice in AI-generated content circulating online.

The matter was heard on Thursday by Justice Saurabh Banerjee, who stated that a decision would be pronounced in due course. No timeline was specified, though the court acknowledged the urgency attached to the case.

Deepfake material used in ads, books: Sadhguru’s legal team

The petition filed by Sadhguru highlights a series of incidents where AI-generated material allegedly misrepresented him. These include a digitally manipulated video, a fake endorsement linked to a financial scheme, and even a book titled Garbh Yatra, whose marketing reportedly used his face and name without approval.

His legal counsel submitted that such misuse not only amounts to an infringement of personality rights, but also poses serious risks of deception to members of the public. “This isn’t a trivial misstep,” a lawyer familiar with the filing told reporters outside the court. “It’s the systematic misuse of a public figure’s identity through technology that is evolving faster than regulation can keep up.”

The court, while not issuing immediate relief, appeared receptive to the core concerns being raised.

Court weighs implications of identity theft in the AI era

In observations made during the hearing, Justice Banerjee appeared to recognize that this case goes beyond a personal grievance. The broader implications of AI-generated impersonations—particularly of influential public figures—seem to have caught the court’s attention. The judge pointed out that as such content becomes more sophisticated, legal systems may need to evolve correspondingly.

“Today it’s a spiritual leader,” said a lawyer close to the proceedings. “But the precedent set here could impact everyone from actors to politicians to activists.”

Request for dynamic content removal

Sadhguru’s team has requested what they referred to as “dynamic blocking”—a preemptive takedown mechanism used in some copyright cases that would empower platforms to remove not only current but future infringing content.

It’s a model that’s not widely used for personality rights in India yet, though lawyers argue that this case presents an appropriate scenario for such measures. The argument is that traditional takedown notices are inadequate, particularly with deepfakes, where altered media can spread across platforms almost instantaneously.

Whether the court will entertain that line of relief remains to be seen. But it has certainly opened the door for the judiciary to discuss more modern forms of online rights enforcement.

A first-of-its-kind case for Indian jurisprudence?

At present, India lacks a dedicated law to deal with deepfakes. Existing remedies generally fall under the IT Act, defamation laws, and privacy provisions—but many legal experts feel these are not fit for purpose when it comes to complex AI content.

“This petition, while personal in its facts, could trigger a much-needed legal conversation around identity protection in the age of synthetic media,” said a professor of media law who has been tracking the case. “If the court recognizes that deepfakes merit separate treatment under the law, we might see new jurisprudence take shape.”

Ethical concerns extend beyond courts

Beyond the legal circles, the case has stirred debate among tech analysts and digital rights organizations. A growing number of commentators have warned that generative AI is being weaponized for misrepresentation. Platforms hosting or distributing manipulated content are now being called upon to take greater responsibility.

“It’s becoming almost impossible for the average internet user to distinguish between real and fake,” said a Bengaluru-based cybersecurity expert. “And when it involves someone as widely recognized as Sadhguru, the stakes are even higher.”

In this context, his petition could have effects well beyond the courtroom. It has already begun to serve as a wake-up call for platforms, policymakers, and civil society groups alike.

Sadhguru’s media stance and future steps

This isn’t the first time Sadhguru, known globally for his work with the Isha Foundation, has spoken out against online manipulation. He has regularly cautioned his followers and the general public about disinformation on digital platforms.

In a statement issued earlier this week, the foundation said it would “pursue all available legal channels to ensure the integrity of Sadhguru’s name and message is preserved.” The organization also called on tech companies to introduce safeguards against identity misuse using emerging technologies.

With the verdict still pending, it is unclear what immediate relief, if any, will be granted. But legal analysts believe that the court’s eventual ruling could shape how Indian law responds to the misuse of AI-generated media.

For now, the matter remains under judicial consideration, but its implications are already echoing far beyond the corridors of the Delhi High Court.

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