The Delhi High Court has granted interim protection to actor Khushi Kapoor against the unauthorised use of her name, image, likeness and other identifiable attributes of her persona. The order covers emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, generative AI, machine learning, deepfakes, AI chatbots, face morphing, voice cloning and other forms of synthetic media.
Justice Jyoti Singh passed the ex parte ad-interim order on August 12 in a suit filed by Kapoor seeking enforcement of her personality and publicity rights. The court restrained unidentified defendants, as well as certain named entities, from using or exploiting her identity without her consent for commercial or personal gain.
Content ordered removed
The proceedings concerned alleged online misuse of Kapoor’s identity, including obscene and pornographic material, impersonation, AI-generated content and the unauthorised sale of merchandise featuring her name or likeness. The court’s directions also covered digital content that allegedly sought to commercially exploit her persona.
Among the entities named in the order were SeaArt AI Inc, Janitor AI Inc and Living Media India Limited. SeaArt was reportedly associated with AI-generated content using Kapoor’s name and image, while Janitor AI was alleged to have hosted a chatbot impersonating her and generating obscene material.
The order additionally applied to a Facebook page titled “Khushi Kapoor” and unidentified “John Doe” defendants. A John Doe order enables legal action against unknown persons whose identities may be established later.
Takedown within 36 hours
The court directed the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Department of Telecommunications to notify relevant internet service providers and telecom service providers to remove specified URLs within 36 hours of receiving the order. Living Media India was separately directed to take down URLs identified in the proceedings within the same period.
The court’s directions are interim in nature and will remain subject to further proceedings. The next hearing has been listed for December 18.
Protection of personality rights
Kapoor told the court that her identity and public persona were being misused without authorisation. The court noted her work in films including The Archies, Loveyapa and Nadaaniyan, as well as her substantial social-media following and presence in the fashion and entertainment industries.
The order reflects the growing legal concern over the use of generative AI to create realistic but unauthorised images, videos, voices and interactive profiles of public figures. Such material can blur the line between legitimate fan expression, satire and unlawful exploitation—particularly when it is obscene, defamatory or linked to commercial activity.
Part of wider legal trend
The ruling came shortly after the Delhi High Court issued directions in a similar case involving Kapoor’s sister, actor Janhvi Kapoor. In that matter, the court sought a categorisation of disputed URLs rather than ordering a blanket shutdown of fan pages, distinguishing between obscene content, direct monetisation of personality rights and unauthorised promotion of merchandise or services.
The Khushi Kapoor order adds to a growing body of Delhi High Court decisions recognising that celebrities may seek protection against unauthorised commercial use of their identity. Earlier cases involving public figures such as Anil Kapoor and Yuvraj Singh have also addressed the misuse of names, images, voices and other elements associated with a person’s public persona.
The case is significant beyond the entertainment industry because it places AI-generated impersonation within the broader framework of personality-rights protection. While the final legal position will depend on subsequent hearings, the interim directions signal that courts may intervene where synthetic media is used to create obscene content, impersonate a public figure or derive commercial benefit without consent.
