Delhi HC to hear plea on deepfake image of woman with PM Modi
Synopsis
A woman has moved the Delhi High Court alleging that four CJP leaders used AI face-swapping tools to morph her image into a vulgar photo alongside PM Modi, displayed it on banners at Jantar Mantar, and circulated it on pornographic websites. Despite an FIR on 24 September, the content reportedly remains online — prompting the court to take up the plea on Friday.
Key Takeaways
The Delhi High Court agreed on 25 September 2026 to hear a plea over an alleged AI-generated deepfake image of a woman with PM Narendra Modi .
Four CJP leaders — Saurav Das , Abhijit Dipke , Ashutosh Ranka , and Ratna Singh — are accused of circulating the morphed image.
The image was allegedly displayed on banners at Jantar Mantar during protests in July 2026 and later circulated on pornographic websites.
Delhi Police registered an FIR under the BNS and IT Act at the Cyber Police Station on 24 September .
The petitioner alleges the content remains online despite the FIR, and reports 'rape threats and severe mental trauma.' Respondents include the four CJP leaders, the Delhi government , and Meta Platforms India Pvt.
The Delhi High Court on Friday, 25 September 2026, agreed to hear a plea seeking the immediate removal and blocking of an alleged AI-generated, morphed image depicting a woman alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The petitioner has accused four leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) — Saurav Das, Abhijit Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka, and Ratna Singh — of circulating the image.
How the Matter Came Before the Court
The case was mentioned before Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya by advocate Umesh Sharma, who informed the bench that an FIR had already been registered in connection with the alleged incident. The High Court assured that the matter would be taken up for hearing on the same day.
According to the petition, the woman alleged that the CJP leaders and their associates unauthorisedly obtained her photograph and used Artificial Intelligence (AI) face-swapping tools to morph her face onto what she described as a 'highly vulgar and compromising image' alongside the Prime Minister.
What the Petition Alleges
The plea alleged that the morphed image was printed on physical banners and displayed during CJP demonstrations at Jantar Mantar in July 2026, where sexually suggestive and derogatory slogans were allegedly raised. Videos of those banners were subsequently uploaded to Instagram and other social media platforms, and the morphed images were reportedly circulated on pornographic websites as well.
The petitioner characterised the alleged conduct as a 'vicious, coordinated cyber-assault, public character assassination, and deepfake generation.' She stated that she approached the police on 23 September after facing severe online harassment and threats of sexual assault.
FIR Registered, Takedown Action Pending
The Delhi Police registered an FIR at the Cyber Police Station, New Delhi, on 24 September under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act. However, the petition contended that despite the FIR, cyber authorities had not taken immediate steps to secure the takedown or blocking of the allegedly viral deepfake content.
The continued circulation of the images has, according to the petition, subjected the woman to 'continuous, life-threatening intimidation, rape threats, and severe mental trauma.'
Relief Sought and Respondents Named
The petitioner has sought directions to authorities to immediately trace, block, and remove the alleged morphed and explicit images from social media platforms and pornographic websites. She has also sought protection of her life, liberty, and bodily integrity, along with preservation of electronic evidence relating to the alleged cyber-assault.
Named as respondents in the petition are the four CJP leaders — Saurav Das, Abhijit Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka, and Ratna Singh — as well as the Delhi government and Meta Platforms India Pvt. Ltd. The High Court's hearing is set to determine whether urgent interim relief, including content takedowns, will be granted.
Point of View
The political dimensions will complicate what should fundamentally be a victim-protection and cyber-crime enforcement matter. The High Court's response on interim relief will signal whether courts are prepared to step in where executive enforcement has so far fallen short.
NationPress
25 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Delhi High Court deepfake image case about?
A woman has petitioned the Delhi High Court seeking urgent removal of an alleged AI-morphed image showing her in a vulgar pose alongside PM Narendra Modi. She accuses four CJP leaders of having the image created and circulated during protests at Jantar Mantar in July 2026 and later on social media and pornographic websites.
Who are the accused in the deepfake image case?
The four accused are CJP leaders Saurav Das, Abhijit Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka, and Ratna Singh, who have been named as respondents in the petition along with the Delhi government and Meta Platforms India Pvt. Ltd.
Has an FIR been registered in this deepfake case?
Yes. The Delhi Police registered an FIR at the Cyber Police Station, New Delhi, on 24 September 2026 under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act. However, the petitioner alleges that no action has been taken to remove the content despite the FIR.
What relief has the petitioner sought from the Delhi High Court?
The petitioner has sought court directions to immediately trace, block, and remove the morphed images from social media platforms and pornographic websites. She has also sought protection of her life and liberty, and preservation of electronic evidence related to the alleged cyber-assault.
Why does this case matter beyond the individuals involved?
The case highlights a broader gap in India's legal framework around AI-generated deepfakes and the speed of content takedown after cybercrime complaints. India does not yet have dedicated deepfake legislation, and this petition may prompt the court to issue guidelines on emergency removal of such content.
