Delhi High Court Asks Singer Jubin Nautiyal Why He Filed Personality Rights Suit In Delhi Despite Being Based in Uttarakhand

The Delhi High Court on Thursday asked singer Jubin Nautiyal why he had approached it for protection of his personality rights when he is based in Uttarakhand.

Justice Tushar Rao Gedela questioned the choice of forum. “Why are you here? What is accessible here is accessible there. The courts there aren't abolished yet…,” the judge remarked.

At the outset, the Court asked how it could entertain the suit.

Nautiyal's counsel argued that key authorities such as the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Department of Telecommunications are headquartered in Delhi. The Court termed the submission “irrelevant.”

“Merely because MeitY and DoPT are here, jurisdiction is conferred here? What is the jurisdiction here?” Justice Gedela asked.

The Court further asked whether disputes from across the country, including Madras, Calcutta, or Bombay, should be filed in Delhi simply because a ministry is located in the capital.

Nautiyal has alleged that several entities are exploiting his name, voice, image, likeness, and other elements of his persona without authorisation. He claims infringement of his personality and publicity rights, along with violation of registered trademarks and copyrights.

To justify filing in Delhi, his counsel submitted that several infringers operate from the city. He also referred to earlier cases where celebrities such as Vivek Oberoi had approached the Delhi High Court for similar protection.

The Court was not persuaded. It noted that those were interim orders under Order 39 Rules 1 and 2 of the CPC. “Will that create a precedent?” the judge asked.

The Court clarified that the case concerns alleged infringement by private entities, not implementation by ministries. It also noted that some defendants are based abroad, including in Romania and the UAE, and observed that a court in Uttarakhand could also issue directions.

“Are you saying Google is not available in Uttarakhand? You have to tell us this, no? Why Uttarakhand doesn't have jurisdiction when you yourself are located there?” the Court asked.

Orders are yet to be passed.