Did Delhi HC Direct Google to Eliminate Misuse of Sadhguru's Image?
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Synopsis
The Delhi High Court has ordered Google to take action against the misuse of Sadhguru's image and identity in fake content on YouTube. This move aims to protect the spiritual leader's persona from fraudulent narratives, including false arrest claims, and emphasizes the importance of collaboration between Google and the Isha Foundation.
Key Takeaways
- The Delhi High Court has mandated Google to remove fake content exploiting Sadhguru's image.
- Justice Arora emphasized the need for proactive measures to combat misinformation.
- The Isha Foundation is collaborating with Google to establish preventive mechanisms.
- Public vigilance is crucial in reporting misleading advertisements and content.
- Misleading narratives can cause significant confusion and concern among the public.
New Delhi, Oct 21 (NationPress) The Delhi High Court has mandated Google to utilize its advanced technological capabilities to identify and eliminate fraudulent and AI-manipulated content on YouTube that exploits the likeness, videos, and persona of spiritual leader and Isha Foundation founder Sadhguru Jagadish Vasudev.
A single-judge bench presided over by Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora issued an interim directive amidst an ongoing lawsuit filed by Sadhguru and the Isha Foundation concerning the rampant exploitation of the mystic's identity on digital platforms.
In accordance with the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, Justice Arora instructed Google to take decisive action against misleading advertisements circulating on YouTube, including one featuring a fabricated clip depicting Sadhguru's arrest.
The Delhi High Court urged Google to collaborate with the Isha Foundation to establish a strategy that prevents the recurrence of such harmful content, thereby eliminating the need for Isha Foundation to continuously report each instance of infringement.
"Should Defendant No. 45 (Google) encounter any technological constraints regarding this directive, it may seek guidance and submit an affidavit to that effect," Justice Arora stated, referencing Rule 4(4) of the 2021 IT Rules, which obliges intermediaries to implement tools and technology to proactively discover and eliminate identical or similar content, alleviating the burden on the plaintiff to repeatedly request removals.
This development follows Sadhguru’s legal team presenting new examples of misleading YouTube links, including those showcasing false arrest narratives.
During the court session, Google’s representatives indicated that URLs reported for infringement were being removed and expressed a willingness to work collaboratively with the Isha Foundation to resolve the matter.
Previously, on May 30, the Delhi High Court had acknowledged Sadhguru's personality rights and instructed online platforms to eliminate misleading and AI-generated content disseminated to perpetrate financial scams and attract subscribers.
At that time, Sadhguru's legal team noted that unscrupulous websites and channels were utilizing AI-altered videos and manipulated images to mislead viewers.
A single-judge bench led by Justice Saurabh Banerjee had then directed several intermediaries, including Google, to suspend or disable such content.
However, the Isha Foundation has reported that despite prior interim orders from the Delhi High Court, such deceptive ads have re-emerged with greater frequency.
It argued that Google's own advertising policies disallow "clickbait ads based on negative life events"—such as false claims of arrest or death—yet such content continues to be published.
"This ongoing dissemination of deepfake and misleading advertisements has led to significant confusion and concern," the Isha Foundation remarked, adding that thousands of individuals have reached out to verify false claims regarding Sadhguru's arrest.
It has urged the public to remain alert and to report any fraudulent advertisements or videos on YouTube falsely claiming that Sadhguru has been arrested by marking them as "scam" or "misleading".
Point of View
The court has reinforced the necessity of protecting individual rights in the digital age. By ordering Google to act against misleading content, the court acknowledges the challenges posed by AI and fraud in online spaces. This decision serves as a reminder for all digital platforms to uphold their responsibilities in safeguarding the identities and reputations of individuals, particularly public figures.
NationPress
23/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Delhi High Court order regarding Sadhguru's image?
The Delhi High Court ordered Google to utilize its technology to identify and remove fake and AI-manipulated content on YouTube that misuses Sadhguru's image.
Why is Sadhguru's identity being misused?
Sadhguru's identity is being exploited in misleading advertisements and fake narratives, including false claims of arrest, to promote financial scams and gain subscribers.
What steps does Google need to take according to the court?
Google is required to collaborate with the Isha Foundation to develop a mechanism to prevent the recurrence of such harmful content and proactively detect similar issues.
What are the implications of this ruling?
This ruling emphasizes the responsibility of digital platforms to uphold individual rights and combat the spread of misinformation and deceptive content online.
How can the public assist in reporting misleading content?
The public can help by reporting any fraudulent advertisements or videos on YouTube that falsely claim Sadhguru has been arrested by flagging them as 'scam' or 'misleading'.
