Gautam Gambhir (Source: AFP)
In a significant development, the Delhi High Court has taken a bold step to curb and stop the misuse of Gautam Gambhir's identity, the current head coach of India. The court's order follows Gambhir's petition against several social media accounts and online platforms for exploiting his name, image, voice, and persona without his consent.
The petition stated that, with the widespread use of the internet and AI, online content creators were generating fake images, videos, and statements falsely attributing actions or words to Gautam Gambhir.
Why did Gautam Gambhir file the petition?
Gautam Gambhir approached the Delhi High Court seeking urgent legal relief against what he described in his petition as a large‑scale misuse of his identity.
In his suit, he pointed out that AI tools were being used to produce deepfake content and face‑swapped visuals that showed him in situations he was never part of. Some content contained fabricated statements and misleading claims related to him.
He also stated that in several instances, his voice or likeness was used without permission for commercial gain or to spread false information.
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Such misuse was appearing not just on social media but also on e‑commerce websites in the form of unauthorised merchandise or listings.
Gambhir's legal team argued that these actions violated his personality rights and hurt his public image. The former Indian cricketer wanted a permanent injunction to stop all such unauthorised use and an immediate interim order to remove the offending content.
The Delhi High Court verdict on Gambhir's petition
Justice Jyoti Singh, while hearing the petition, agreed with Gambhir’s concerns. The court observed that the misuse of his identity through AI‑generated content could mislead the public and harm his reputation.
Personality rights must be protected against unconsented commercial and false representations.
Accordingly, the Delhi High Court passed a strong order, prohibiting all accused from creating, publishing, or circulating any content using Gambhir’s identity without permission.
Platforms, including social media networks and technology companies, must remove the identified infringing links within 36 hours of receiving the order.
E‑commerce platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart have been specifically directed to take down listings that allegedly exploit his name or image.
The platforms must also disclose details of those responsible for the infringing content, including seller information, subscriber data, and IP logs, to help identify those behind the misuse.
"Till the next date of hearing, Defendants No. 1 to 10 as also their agents, representatives and all persons claiming through them or acting on their behalf are restrained from using and/or in any manner, directly or indirectly, exploiting or misappropriating Plaintiff’s: (i) names Gautam Gambhir, Gauti and GG; (ii) image; (iii) voice; and (iv) likeness and/or any other attribute of his persona, without his authorization or consent, for any commercial and/or personal gain," the Court said in its March 25 order.
The interim order will remain in effect as the case proceeds to further hearings. Gautam Gambhir’s legal representatives, advocates Jai Anant Dehadrai and Srutee Priyadarshini, welcomed the order.
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