Delhi HC orders Meta to remove deepfake image of woman with PM Modi in 24 hours
Synopsis
The Delhi High Court has ordered Meta to pull a deepfake image of a woman alongside PM Modi within 24 hours — one of the sharpest judicial interventions yet against AI-generated image abuse in India. With notices issued to four named CJP activists, an FIR already registered, and compensation rights flagged by the judge, this case could set a significant legal precedent for platform accountability and victim protection in deepfake harassment.
Key Takeaways
The Delhi High Court on 25 September 2026 ordered Meta Platforms to remove an allegedly deepfake image of a woman with PM Modi within 24 hours .
Justice Girish Kathpalia issued notices to four CJP activists — Saurav Das , Abhijit Dipke , Ashutosh Ranka , and Ratna Singh .
Delhi Police registered an FIR on 24 September at the Cyber Police Station under the BNS and the IT Act .
The court directed complete police protection for the petitioner and instructed police to file a status report.
The court orally noted the petitioner's right to claim compensation from protest organisers ; next hearing on 14 October .
The Delhi High Court on Friday, 25 September 2026, directed Meta Platforms to remove, within 24 hours, 'objectionable content' involving a woman who alleged that an AI-generated, morphed image depicting her alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi was circulated online after being displayed at a Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. The order was passed by a single-judge Bench of Justice Girish Kathpalia, who also issued notices to four named CJP activists and directed Delhi Police to provide the petitioner complete protection.
Key Developments in Court
Justice Kathpalia issued notices to CJP activists Saurav Das, Abhijit Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka, and Ratna Singh on the woman's plea seeking urgent removal of the allegedly objectionable content. The court directed the petitioner to disclose her residential address to the investigating officer (IO) present in court, who was then instructed to relay it to the local Station House Officer (SHO) to ensure her safety.
The High Court further directed its registry to redact all impugned web links from the petition and its annexures, while separately ordering the petitioner to hand over all relevant pictures, videos, and web links to the investigating agency in electronic form. The matter has been posted for further hearing on 14 October.
What the Petitioner Alleged
According to the petition, the woman alleged that her photograph was obtained without authorisation and processed through AI face-swapping tools to create what the plea described as a 'highly vulgar and compromising image' showing her alongside the Prime Minister. The morphed images were allegedly uploaded on Instagram and other social media platforms and subsequently circulated on pornographic websites.
The alleged incident is said to have occurred in July during a CJP demonstration. The petitioner reportedly approached police only on 23 September after experiencing sustained online harassment, including threats of sexual assault. The plea claimed the continued circulation of the images subjected her to 'continuous, life-threatening intimidation, rape threats, and severe mental trauma.'
FIR Registered, Police in Court
The Delhi Police informed the High Court that an FIR had already been registered — on 24 September — at the Cyber Police Station, New Delhi, under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act. In court, police accepted notice and submitted that 'action shall be taken as expeditiously as possible.'
The petitioner's counsel, however, argued that despite the FIR, no immediate steps had been taken to secure the takedown or blocking of the viral content — prompting the court's direct direction to Meta.
Court's Observations on Compensation
Orally, the court observed that the petitioner would have the right to claim compensation from the organisers of the demonstration, though no formal order was passed on this. It also made clear that filing the petition would not preclude her from claiming any other relief available under law — leaving open civil and criminal avenues for redress.
What Happens Next
Meta Platforms must comply with the 24-hour takedown order. Delhi Police is required to file a status report on action taken in the matter before the next hearing on 14 October. This case highlights the growing judicial scrutiny of AI-generated deepfake content in India and is being watched as a precedent for platform liability and victim protection in online image-based abuse cases.
Point of View
The accountability of social media platforms, and the protection of individuals caught in politically charged demonstrations. The court's oral remark flagging compensation from protest organisers is notable — it signals judicial willingness to extend liability beyond the platform to the event itself. India still lacks a standalone deepfake law, making this order doubly significant as courts are effectively stepping in to fill the legislative vacuum. The speed of the intervention — a 24-hour Meta deadline and police protection ordered in the same sitting — sets a standard that victims of similar abuse will now cite.
NationPress
25 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Delhi High Court order in the deepfake image case involving PM Modi?
The Delhi High Court directed Meta Platforms to remove, within 24 hours, an allegedly AI-generated morphed image of a woman depicted alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The order was passed on 25 September 2026 by Justice Girish Kathpalia, who also issued notices to four CJP activists and directed Delhi Police to provide complete protection to the petitioner.
Who are the CJP activists named in the Delhi HC notice?
The court issued notices to four CJP activists: Saurav Das, Abhijit Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka, and Ratna Singh. They were named in the petitioner's plea seeking urgent removal of the allegedly objectionable content and her protection from ongoing harassment.
Has an FIR been filed in the Delhi deepfake image case?
Yes. Delhi Police registered an FIR on 24 September 2026 at the Cyber Police Station, New Delhi, under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act. Police informed the High Court that action would be taken as expeditiously as possible.
What harassment did the woman allege in her petition?
The petitioner alleged that her photograph was used without authorisation with AI face-swapping tools to create a 'highly vulgar and compromising image' alongside PM Modi. She claimed the images were uploaded on Instagram and circulated on pornographic websites, subjecting her to rape threats and severe mental trauma since the original CJP protest in July.
When is the next hearing in the Delhi HC deepfake case?
The Delhi High Court has posted the matter for further hearing on 14 October 2026. Before that date, Delhi Police must file a status report detailing the action taken, and Meta Platforms must comply with the 24-hour content removal order.
