Delhi HC Protects Podcaster Raj Shamani’s Personality Rights, Says He Is a Known Face in Content Creation

The Delhi High Court has passed a John Doe order protecting the personality rights of podcaster and content creator Raj Shamani, after observing that he is “a known face in India, especially in the field of content creation who has gained goodwill and reputation over a course of a successful career.”

The order was issued by Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora in a suit filed by Shamani and his production company seeking injunctions against unauthorized use of his name, image, likeness, voice, and podcast content across online platforms.

Justice Arora acknowledged that Shamani enjoys substantial brand value, commercial endorsements, and a massive digital following, and held that Shamani’s name, likeness, voice, image and other identifiable attributes are protectable elements of his personality rights.

“Therefore, prima facie, the Plaintiff No. 1’s personality traits and/or parts thereof, including the Plaintiff’s name, likeness, voice, image are protectable elements of the Plaintiff’s personality rights. The Plaintiff No. 1 is entitled to seek injunction against the use of his personality rights by third parties for their commercial gains without his authorisation,” the Court said.

During the course of the proceedings, Senior Advocate Diya Kapur argued that AI-generated deepfakes and fake endorsements featuring Shamani were being circulated online. It was further submitted that unauthorised chatbots were impersonating him. Referring to his podcast Figuring Out with Raj Shamani, Kapur added that certain YouTube channels were misusing clips, logos and branding elements to mislead audiences. She also raised concerns about hashtags and memes being exploited to increase visibility and create confusion.

Taking note of this, the Court said that Shamani is entitled to protection against morphed or distorted content, especially deepfakes and defamatory material, which can damage his reputation and goodwill.

It held that Shamani’s production company, the second plaintiff, is entitled to protection under the Copyright Act, 1957 for its podcast content, and that both plaintiffs are entitled to prevent misuse of their registered trademarks.

“Having perused the documents placed on record vis-à-vis the impugned links enlisted above, this Court is satisfied that the Plaintiff has made out a prima facie case for their takedown,” the Court said.

Accordingly, the Court restrained multiple defendants, including unknown “John Doe” entities, from misusing, misappropriating or exploiting Shamani’s name, likeness, voice, photos, image or videos in any form, and from using AI-generated, deepfake or morphed content involving him.

It also directed platforms such as Google, Meta and Telegram to block or remove the infringing videos and posts listed in the suit, and to disclose Basic Subscriber Information of the uploaders within 72 hours.

The matter will be next heard on 24 April 2026.

Case Title: RaJ Shamani and Ors v Ashok Kumar

Bench: Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora

Date: 17 November 2025