Sonu Nigam Namesake Agrees Before Bombay High Court To Stop Using Singer's Name On Social Media

A man who ran a social media account under the name “Sonu Nigam” has agreed before the Bombay High court to stop using the singer's name, photograph, likeness, and other personality attributes in a manner that exploits or misappropriates his personality and publicity rights, bringing a year-long dispute between the two men to an end.

Justice Madhav J. Jamdar recorded the settlement on August 13 and decreed the suit in terms of the Consent Terms. Sonu Nigam Singh can continue operating the account under the handle “@SonuNigamSingh”, subject to the undertakings given to the court.

The singer had filed the suit seeking to restrain Sonu Nigam Singh and persons or entities acting through him from violating his personality and publicity rights by using the name “Sonu Nigam”, his image, likeness or other attributes of his personality without authorisation.

The suit also sought to prevent the account or services from being passed off as those of, or endorsed by, the singer.

The court had passed an ad-interim order on July 11, 2025, restraining Sonu Nigam Singh from using the “impugned display name/account name 'Sonu Nigam' per se on social media platforms.”

The order was extended several times, with the last extension recorded on May 5, 2026. The Consent Terms list extensions from August 4, 2025, through May 5, 2026.

Sonu Nigam Singh initially failed to comply with the interim order, following which the singer filed a second interim application seeking immediate compliance. He subsequently complied with the order, so the singer did not press the application.

During the case, Sonu Nigam Singh, through his advocate, approached the singer's advocate and indicated that he was willing to amicably settle the dispute. The parties subsequently signed Consent Terms, which were tendered before the court on August 13.

Under the settlement, Sonu Nigam Singh has undertaken, “now and in perpetuity," not to use or exploit the singer's personality or publicity rights by using the username or handle “Sonu Nigam” per se on X, or by using his photograph, image, likeness or other personality attributes.

The undertaking covers commercial and personal gain as well as other forms of exploitation, including through social media, online platforms, publications, advertisements and promotional material.

He has also undertaken not to pass off his account or services, including those that formed the subject matter of the suit, as originating from or being endorsed by the singer.

The settlement allows Sonu Nigam Singh to continue using the account under the handle “@SonuNigamSingh”, provided he complies with these undertakings. He has also confirmed that he removed the posts that were the subject matter of the suit, including other posts of a similar nature.

The Consent Terms also make clear that there is no restriction on Sonu Nigam Singh using his full legal name, “Sonu Nigam”, in his personal identity documents.

The restriction is on using the singer's name in a manner that amounts to exploiting or misappropriating the singer's name or personality and publicity rights.

Recording the settlement, Justice Madhav J. Jamdar observed, “Various statements made in the Consent Terms are accepted as undertakings given to this Court.”