Delhi HC Protects Personality Rights of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Against Deepfake Videos

The Delhi High Court has recently passed a John Doe order protecting the personality rights of  Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of the Art of Living Foundation, after finding that deepfake videos impersonating him were being circulated online.

Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora restrained several unknown entities from misusing Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s personality and publicity rights.

“In view of the above, a prima facie case is made out in favour of the plaintiff and against the defendant no. 1. Balance of convenience is also in favour of the plaintiff, and irreparable harm will be caused to the plaintiff, if defendant no. 1’s are not restrained to publish/circulate the deepfake contents,” the Court said.

Court barred the unknown defendants from directly or indirectly using his name, voice, image, likeness, unique style of speaking, or any other attribute that identifies him, for commercial or personal gain without his consent.

It also made clear that this direction would cover all formats and mediums, including but not limited to AI-generated content, deepfake videos, voice-cloned audio, metaverse environments, or any future formats or mediums.

The order came on a plea filed by Shankar seeking protection of his personality and publicity rights. He had sought an ex-parte ad-interim injunction against the defendants after discovering in July–August 2025 that defendant no. 1 (John Doe) was circulating fake and fabricated videos of him on the social media platform Facebook.

These deepfake videos falsely depicted him as promoting alleged Ayurvedic or natural remedies for serious health conditions such as haemorrhoids, diabetes and chronic knee pain, with exaggerated claims of instant cures. The content also falsely suggested that Shankar had conducted years of research, tested such remedies, or discovered them during meditation.

It was contended that the plaintiff, who is widely recognized by names such as Gurudev, Guruji, Sri Sri, and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, has his personality, reputation, and distinct identity intrinsically linked to his name, voice, image, likeness, and manner of speech.

After hearing the submissions, the Court observed, “Based on the averments made in the plaint and submissions made on behalf of the plaintiff, it is evident that defendant no. 1 (John Doe) is circulating deep fake contents unauthorizedly using the name, voice, facial expressions, persona and likeness of the plaintiff.”

Taking note of these concerns, the Court restrained defendant no. 1 (John Doe), their associates, employees, agents, subscribers, representatives and all persons claiming under them from infringing or misappropriating plaintiff's personality rights.

Further, the Court directed defendant no. 4 (Facebook/Meta) and its representatives to forthwith remove or disable access to the pages, profiles, accounts, videos, photos and channels publishing such morphed and infringing content within 36 hours.

Importantly, it also gave Shankar the liberty to approach Meta again during the pendency of the suit if any new deepfake material surfaced, with the company required to take it down within 36 hours unless it had reasonable doubts.

"In case the plaintiff, during the pendency of the present suit, discover any more false, fabricated and/ or morphed infringing content not originating from or associated with the plaintiff, the plaintiff shall be at liberty to approach the Defendant no. 4 requesting them to block/ take down, within 36 hours, any such post/ image/ video/ text/ or any other morphed infringing content, which is published on its platforms or utilizing its platforms. In case Defendant no. 4 entertains any doubt it shall communicate the same to the Plaintiff within 24 Hrs and, the Plaintiff shall be at liberty to approach this Court for appropriate orders," the order said.

The next date of hearing in the case has been fixed for February 19, 2026 before the Court, with a compliance hearing scheduled before the Joint Registrar on October 15, 2025.

Case Title: Ravi Shankar vs John Doe(s) / Ashok Kumar(s) & Ors.

Order Date: 26th August 2025

Bench: Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora