Shashi Tharoor Moves Delhi High Court to Safeguard Personality Rights Against AI Misuse

NEW DELHI – Senior Congress leader and Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor has approached the Delhi High Court seeking an omnibus injunction to protect his personality, image, and publicity rights. The civil suit, which came up for hearing on May 8, 2026, marks the latest high-profile legal battle in India aimed at curbing the unauthorized commercial exploitation of celebrity identities, particularly through emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence.

The matter was placed before the bench of Justice Mini Pushkarna. Tharoor’s legal team argued that the petitioner’s name, voice, likeness, and persona are being misappropriated by various entities for commercial gain and to spread misinformation without his consent.

The Digital Threat: AI and Deepfakes
A central pillar of the lawsuit is the rising threat of generative AI and deepfake technology. The petition highlights several instances where Tharoor’s persona was used to create morphed videos and audio clips that could mislead the public.

Legal experts note that while Tharoor is a public figure, the suit contends that his status does not grant third parties a "free pass" to use his attributes for endorsements or digital content that could damage his reputation or violate his privacy. The suit names specific digital platforms and includes "John Doe" defendants—a legal strategy used to target anonymous or unidentified internet users who may be circulating infringing content.

Building on Judicial Precedent
Tharoor’s move follows a series of landmark orders by the Delhi High Court that have gradually codified "Personality Rights" in India:

• Amitabh Bachchan (2022): The court protected the veteran actor's voice and image from unauthorized mobile apps and lotteries.
• Anil Kapoor (2023): A significant ruling that protected the actor’s "Jhakaas" catchphrase and likeness from AI-driven misappropriation.
• Jackie Shroff (2024): The court recently intervened to prevent the use of the actor’s nickname "Bhidu" and his persona in "offensive" memes and unauthorized AI bots.

Legal Framework: Privacy vs. Publicity
In India, personality rights are not governed by a standalone statute but are derived from the Right to Privacy under Article 21 of the Constitution and the Common Law right against "passing off."
The court is expected to deliberate on the Right to Publicity, which allows individuals to control the commercial use of their identity. Tharoor’s counsel argued that the unauthorized use of his distinctive style of speech and image constitutes a violation of his "moral rights" as a performer and his fundamental right to dignity.

Industry Implications
The outcome of this case is being closely watched by the legal and tech communities. If an interim injunction is granted, it will further solidify the legal barriers against the "commodification" of public personas. It also signals a tightening of regulations for AI developers and content creators who utilize celebrity likenesses for parody, satire, or commercial advertisements.

As the digital landscape evolves, the Delhi High Court continues to be the primary battleground for defining the boundaries of intellectual property in the age of automation.

Discription: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has moved the Delhi High Court to protect his personality, image, and publicity rights against unauthorized use. Appearing before Justice Mini Pushkarna, the suit specifically targets the misuse of his likeness through AI-generated deepfakes and morphed media. Tharoor seeks an omnibus injunction to prevent third parties from commercially exploiting his name, voice, or persona without consent. This case follows landmark precedents set by actors like Amitabh Bachchan and Anil Kapoor, reinforcing the legal shield around celebrity attributes in the digital age. By naming "John Doe" defendants, the plea aims to curb anonymous digital infringements. The court’s intervention highlights the growing judicial scrutiny over generative AI's impact on individual privacy and the "Right to Publicity," marking a significant step in evolving Indian intellectual property jurisprudence.