The Delhi High Court struck down six AI-generated clips on Friday, ordering their removal from social media platforms. The videos depicted Chief Minister Rekha Gupta as a street vendor selling alcohol. The court ruled this crossed the line from permissible political satire into an attack on personal dignity.
Gupta filed the suit against the Aam Aadmi Party, seeking a permanent injunction to stop the circulation of these deepfakes. The court granted interim relief, noting that while politicians must endure criticism and humor, content that tarnishes an individual’s dignity is not protected under freedom of speech. “Political satire cannot be permitted to attack an individual's dignity,” the bench observed.
The ruling distinguishes between sharp political commentary and defamatory fabrication. By labeling the AI content as offensive, the court signaled that deepfake technology used to humiliate public figures will face legal scrutiny. Notices were issued to the defendants, effectively halting the distribution of the specific videos in question.
The legal battle continues. The court will hear the next arguments on December 4, 2026, where Gupta aims to secure a permanent ban on the dissemination of such synthetic media.