Delhi High Court Protects Sadhguru’s Personality Rights from AI Misuse in Landmark Ruling
New Delhi | June 1, 2025 — In a significant development concerning digital rights and artificial intelligence, the Delhi High Court has granted spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev sweeping protection over the unauthorized use of his personality traits. The Court issued a John Doe order to block unknown websites and entities that were allegedly misusing his voice, image, and likeness through AI-generated content across digital platforms.
The order was passed by Justice Saurabh Banerjee, who noted the rising challenge of enforcing intellectual property rights in the era of rapidly evolving technology, especially on social media and internet-based platforms.
"The rights of a plaintiff cannot be rendered meaningless in this world of rapidly developing technology. Enforcement must remain visible and effective," Justice Banerjee observed.
Sadhguru’s Unique Persona Recognized by the Court
The Court acknowledged that Sadhguru has developed a distinctive public persona over the years. This includes his voice, signature, visual appearance, vocal articulation style, and attire, all of which are now deemed to be legally protected personality traits.
Justice Banerjee said that various rogue websites and digital creators had used AI tools to alter and replicate Sadhguru’s identity — modifying his images, videos, and voice — in a way that could mislead the public and generate revenue from fake or unauthorized content.
“If allowed to continue, it will soon spread like a pandemic... The wrong message will spread like wildfire,” the Court warned in strong language.
Dynamic Injunction Against Digital Misuse
The Court issued a dynamic+ injunction, a type of legal relief that allows proactive protection against future, unknown infringers — an increasingly necessary tool in the fight against tech-driven rights violations.
Sadhguru's legal team, led by Mr. Srikrishna Rajagopal, argued that impersonation and misrepresentation not only damage Sadhguru’s reputation but also risk eroding public trust in his guidance.
The Court agreed, stating:
“Given Sadhguru's unique position as a trusted source for spiritual guidance worldwide, any misrepresentation of his endorsement risks irreparable damage.”
Rogue Websites and AI-Driven Content Under Scanner
One of the biggest challenges addressed in the Court’s ruling is the resurfacing of banned content through mirror websites and alphanumeric domains, often hidden behind layers of privacy protections.
Justice Banerjee called such websites “hydra-headed” — a reference to their ability to regenerate quickly after being taken down.
“These sites have the incredible potential to resurface in multitudes... making it virtually impossible to contact their operators.”
As a result, the Court directed:
- Suspension of YouTube channels and social media accounts that post infringing content.
- Disclosure of basic subscriber information by the platforms.
- Notices to platforms to block or suspend infringing websites and accounts.
- Monitoring and action by Defendant Nos. 46 and 47, believed to be internet intermediaries or service providers.
Legal Teams on Record
Counsel for Plaintiff (Sadhguru):
- Mr. Srikrishna Rajagopal
- Ms. Disha Sharma
- Ms. Deepika Pokharia
- Mr. Angad Makkar
- Mr. Pushpet Ghosh
Counsel for Defendants:
- Ms. Mamta R. Jha, Mr. Rohan Ahuja, Ms. Shruttima Ehersa, Mr. Rahul Choudhary, Ms. Himani Sachdeva (for D-45)
- Mr. Sandeep Kumar Mahapatra, Mr. Tribhuvan (for D-46 and D-47)
Why This Matters
This case is one of the first in India to comprehensively address the misuse of an individual’s personality through artificial intelligence. It sets a precedent for how courts may respond to similar misuse involving public figures, celebrities, or spiritual leaders in the digital age.
The ruling not only affirms the importance of personality rights in the AI era but also highlights the need for stronger legal frameworks to regulate deepfakes, impersonations, and synthetic media.
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