Delhi HC Orders Takedown of YouTube Channel for Deepfake Content Featuring Aaj Tak Anchor Anjana Om Kashyap
In a move aimed at curbing the misuse of AI-generated content, the Delhi High Court recently directed Google LLC to take down, within 48 hours, a YouTube channel that was impersonating senior journalist and Aaj Tak Managing Editor (Special Projects) Anjana Om Kashyap through deepfake technology.
A bench led by Justice Prathiba M. Singh observed, “Such fake YouTube pages or fake profiles being made using the Plaintiffs’ goodwill, reputation, and personality would be contrary to law. The proliferation of fake YouTube pages of a well-known organisation or a personality could result in enormous damage and dissemination of misinformation, as the same would lack editorial control.”
The order was passed while dealing with a civil suit filed by plaintiff TV Today Network, the parent company of Aaj Tak, seeking a grant of an ad-interim injunction against the defendants, thereby restraining them from using news clippings, videos, deepfake impersonations, etc. of Ms Anjana Om Kashyap.
According to the plaintiff, some unknown individuals (Defendant No. 2) have created a YouTube channel named ‘@AnajanaomKashya’, using photos of Anjana Om Kashyap along with fake videos and news clips to falsely suggest they feature her.
The plaintiff, represented by Advocate Hrishikesh Barua, argued that the channel misled viewers by circulating fake or manipulated content, which lacked editorial control. Further, it was asserted that such misuse damaged the credibility of the plaintiff news organisation and violated rights under intellectual property and personality laws.
On the other hand, counsel for Google LLC appeared and accepted notice.
Hearing the arguments, the HC observed that the plaintiffs had made out a prima facie case for an ad-interim injunction.
Acknowledging the fabricated identity of the channel, the court said, "Considering the identity of Defendant No. 2, the missing ‘P’ in the word ‘Kashyap’, it is clear that the same appears to be a fake YouTube page.”
High Court further directed that Google must disclose the Basic Subscriber Information (BSI) of the person operating the impugned channel to the plaintiffs within two weeks.
It also asked Google to furnish details of any revenue paid to the said channel owner within four weeks.
“In case any further YouTube pages or channels are identified by the plaintiffs, consisting a fake profile of Plaintiff No. 2, the URL shall be supplied by Defendant No. 1, who shall take them down within 72 hours. If Google LLC does not take down the infringing content or objects to taking down the same for any reason, the reasons thereof shall be communicated to the plaintiffs, and the plaintiffs are free to move an application before this Court.”
The matter is listed before the roster bench on 11th August 2025.
Case Title: T.V. Today Network Ltd. v. Google LLC & ors
Read order here: