Delhi High Court Protects Rajat Sharma's Personality Rights, Bars Trademark Misuse of INDIA TV

The Delhi High Court has recently permanently restrained several individuals and YouTube channels from infringing journalist Rajat Sharma's personality and publicity rights and INDIA TV's registered trademarks.

The decree was passed against the specified parties in terms of the permanent-injunction reliefs sought in paragraphs 100(a) to (e) of the plaint.

Justice Jyoti Singh passed the order on August 24, 2026. The court also allowed Sharma and INDIA TV to seek a declaration that the INDIA TV trademarks are “well-known” in a subsequent suit.

Sharma, who has hosted Aap Ki Adalat for 29 years, had approached the court over doctored videos created using AI technology. The court recorded that the videos carried distorted, modified, and modulated versions of his images and voice, along with other personality traits.

The suit also concerned unauthorised use and infringement of INDIA TV's registered trademarks and copyright violations.

The proceedings began with an ex parte ad interim order on December 18, 2024. The court restrained the persons then before it from infringing Sharma's personality and publicity rights and the intellectual-property rights involved in the suit.

Meta Platforms was directed to block, remove or take down the impugned content and disclose the complete details available with it.

During the case, four YouTube channels circulating deepfake videos using Sharma's personality attributes were impleaded along with Google LLC.

On November 7, 2025, Google was directed to take down the channels of the relevant operators and disclose available BSI and IP-log details, along with other associated information. The court also recorded that two accounts had already been terminated, while two others were under review.

The individuals and channels against whom the final decree was sought had been served but did not file written statements. Their rights to file written statements were closed by the Joint Registrar on July 15, 2026.

Sharma and INDIA TV then sought disposal of the suit through a permanent injunction. They gave up certain reliefs against the Department of Telecommunications and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. They also did not press their request to have the INDIA TV trademarks declared “well-known”, leaving them free to seek that declaration in a subsequent suit.

The court accordingly decreed the suit in favour of Sharma and INDIA TV.

It further permitted Sharma and INDIA TV to approach Meta and Google with details of subsequently discovered URLs or content involving alleged misuse of Sharma's name, likeness, image, voice, photographs, videos, or other aspects of his persona. The plaintiffs must provide supporting particulars and documents on affidavit.

Meta and Google must acknowledge such requests within 24 hours and take action within 36 hours thereafter, after independently examining them under their respective policies. If they do not act, Sharma and INDIA TV may approach the court for appropriate directions.

The suit was consequently disposed of along with all pending applications.