Delhi HC orders removal of obscene content linked to Tabu in personality rights case
Synopsis
The Delhi High Court is set to order takedown of obscene online content using Tabu's identity — and may go further by framing a Standard Operating Procedure for all celebrity personality rights cases. With over a dozen public figures already in court on similar grounds, this case could reshape how India's judiciary and digital platforms handle AI-driven identity misuse at scale.
Key Takeaways
The Delhi High Court on 6 August said it will pass an interim order directing removal of objectionable online content linked to actress Tabu .
Justice Jyoti Singh remarked of identified links: 'They have to be taken down.' The suit alleges unauthorised commercial exploitation of Tabu's name, image, likeness, and AI-generated imitations.
The court is also considering framing an SOP for personality rights cases involving public figures in the digital space.
The next hearing is scheduled for 7 December .
Over 14 public figures — including Aishwarya Rai Bachchan , Gautam Gambhir , and Shashi Tharoor — have sought similar protection from the Delhi HC in recent months.
The Delhi High Court on Thursday, 6 August said it will issue an interim order directing the takedown of objectionable online content featuring Bollywood actress Tabu, as it heard her civil suit seeking protection of her personality and publicity rights against the unauthorised use of her identity across digital platforms. The case marks a significant judicial step in curbing AI-driven digital impersonation of public figures.
What the Court Said
A single-judge Bench of Justice Jyoti Singh heard the suit filed by the actress alleging unauthorised commercial exploitation of her identity online. After considering the submissions, Justice Singh remarked of certain identified links: 'They have to be taken down.' The court indicated it would pass a detailed order subsequently. The matter has been posted for further hearing on 7 December.
Key Submissions Before the Court
Senior advocate Swathi Sukumar, appearing for Tabu, informed the Bench that the memo of parties had been amended to correctly identify the social media intermediaries arrayed as defendants, in compliance with earlier court directions. Sukumar further submitted that specific search terms combining the actress's name with pornographic content were being actively used online, and that the concerned platforms were reportedly deriving commercial benefit from such searches.
Scope of the Suit
Tabu had approached the court seeking protection of her name, image, likeness, and other identity attributes — including content generated through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital impersonation. The suit alleges that her identity has been commercially exploited without her consent across multiple digital platforms and intermediaries.
Notably, the court also considered framing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for handling similar cases involving the alleged misuse of personality rights of public figures in the digital space — a move that could have far-reaching implications beyond this individual case.
A Growing Legal Trend
This case is part of a rapidly expanding wave of personality rights litigation before the Delhi High Court. In recent months, former cricketer Gautam Gambhir, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, actors Arjun Kapoor, Allu Arjun, Nagarjuna, Varun Dhawan, Kajol, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and Abhishek Bachchan, singer Jubin Nautiyal, filmmaker Karan Johar, podcaster Raj Shamani, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, and actor Naga Chaitanya have either secured or sought court protection against the unauthorised use of their identity, likeness, or AI-generated imitations.
What Happens Next
The Delhi High Court is expected to pass its detailed interim order shortly, with the next substantive hearing scheduled for 7 December. If the court proceeds with framing an SOP, it could establish a standardised legal framework for how Indian courts and digital platforms respond to identity misuse — a precedent that the broader entertainment, sports, and public life ecosystem will be watching closely.
Point of View
Which is slow and uneven. The SOP, if formalised, could become the de facto rule until Parliament acts — but its enforceability against foreign-domiciled platforms remains the unresolved question.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Tabu personality rights case in the Delhi High Court?
Tabu has filed a civil suit in the Delhi High Court seeking protection of her personality and publicity rights against the unauthorised use of her name, image, likeness, and AI-generated imitations on digital platforms. The court is set to issue an interim order directing the removal of specific obscene links associated with her identity.
What did the Delhi High Court say about the objectionable content?
Justice Jyoti Singh, after hearing submissions, remarked of certain identified links: 'They have to be taken down.' The court indicated it would pass a detailed interim order and has listed the matter for further hearing on 7 December.
What is the significance of the proposed SOP in this case?
The Delhi High Court is considering framing a Standard Operating Procedure for handling personality rights cases involving public figures in the digital space. If adopted, it could create a standardised legal and procedural framework for content takedowns, going beyond individual suits.
Who else has filed similar personality rights cases in the Delhi High Court?
In recent months, over a dozen public figures have sought similar protection, including Gautam Gambhir, Sunil Gavaskar, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Arjun Kapoor, Allu Arjun, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Karan Johar, Shashi Tharoor, and Naga Chaitanya, among others.
When is the next hearing in Tabu's case?
The Delhi High Court has posted the matter for further hearing on 7 December. A detailed interim order on content removal is expected to be passed before that date.
