The Delhi High Court has decreed a suit filed by journalist Rajat Sharma and another plaintiff concerning alleged infringement of his personality and publicity rights, along with claims relating to trademarks, copyright and other intellectual property rights.
Justice Jyoti Singh passed the order on August 24, 2026, in Rajat Sharma & Anr. v. Tamara Doc & Ors. The suit concerned alleged misuse of Sharma’s name, likeness, image, voice and other personality attributes, besides alleged misuse of INDIA TV trademarks and copyrighted material.
Background
The plaintiffs had approached the Court alleging, among other things, that AI technology was being used to create doctored and modified videos featuring distorted images and voices associated with Rajat Sharma. The proceedings also concerned YouTube channels allegedly circulating deepfake videos using his personality attributes.
The Court had earlier passed an ex parte interim order on December 18, 2024, restraining several defendants from infringing Sharma’s personality and publicity rights and other intellectual property rights. Meta was directed to remove or block the impugned content, while the Department of Telecommunications and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology were directed to issue necessary notifications concerning infringing websites, telephone numbers, social media accounts and channels.
During the proceedings, additional YouTube channels were brought before the Court. Google was subsequently directed to take down specified channels and disclose available technical information, including IP logs and related details.
The defendants against whom the final decree was sought did not file written statements, and their right to do so had been closed by the Joint Registrar on July 15, 2026. The plaintiffs also chose to give up certain reliefs against the Department of Telecommunications and MeitY.
The Court thereafter decreed the suit against Defendants 1 to 3, 5 to 8, 14 and 16 in terms of paragraphs 100(a) to (e) of the plaint.
The order stated:
"In light of the aforesaid, suit is decreed in favour of the Plaintiffs and against Defendants No.1 to 3, 5 to 8, 14 and 16 in terms of paragraph 100(a) to (e) of the plaint."
The Court also granted the plaintiffs liberty to seek, in a subsequent suit, a declaration that the INDIA TV trademarks are “well-known” under the Trade Marks Act, 1999.
Additionally, the plaintiffs were permitted to approach Meta and Google with details of subsequently discovered URLs or content involving alleged misuse of Sharma’s name, likeness, image, voice, photographs, videos or other aspects of his persona. The platforms were directed to acknowledge such requests within 24 hours and take action within 36 hours thereafter, subject to their independent examination and policies.
The suit was ultimately disposed of along with the pending applications.
Case Title: Rajat Sharma & Anr. v. Tamara Doc & Ors
Case Number: CS(COMM) 1147/2024 & I.As. 48740/2024, 27483/2025
Judge: Hon’ble Ms. Justice Jyoti Singh
Decision Date: August 24, 2026
