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The Delhi High Court on Thursday (May 21, 2026) observed that criticism of a politician’s decisions in the political arena cannot be curbed, adding that satire and cartoons have existed since the days of R.K. Laxman. The court was hearing a plea by Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, who recently joined the BJP after quitting the AAP, seeking protection of his personality and publicity rights.
As Mr. Chadha’s counsel pressed for defamation suit instead, the HC said there is thin line between defamation and criticism. As per the cause list, a single-judge Bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad was hearing the matter.
Mr. Chadha had approached the Delhi High Court against the alleged unauthorised use and misuse of his name, image, likeness, and identity across online and digital platforms, including through AI-generated and morphed content.
He has reportedly sought relief against several defendants, including unidentified persons impleaded as John Doe parties, alleging unauthorised commercial exploitation and misuse of his persona across digital platforms.
The plea also stated that it seeks the removal of deepfake, AI-generated, and morphed content allegedly circulating online using his identity without authorisation.
The development comes amid a growing number of personality rights disputes before the Delhi High Court involving allegations of AI-generated impersonation, deepfakes, fake endorsements, and unauthorised commercial exploitation of public figures’ identities.
The Raghav Chadha case adds to a growing list of high-profile personalities invoking their personality and publicity rights before the Delhi High Court.
With inputs from IANS, ANI
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