The Delhi High Court has declined to grant a blanket interim injunction in actor Meenakshi Chaudhary’s personality rights suit, while directing the removal of obscene and sexually explicit content concerning her from the internet.
Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani passed the ex parte ad interim relief on September 18, 2026, but made it clear that broader protection could not be granted merely on the basis of claims that her photographs, name or likeness were being commercially exploited.
Chaudhary’s counsel placed before the Court a compilation of allegedly infringing web links divided into three categories. These included sexually explicit content, websites allegedly earning revenue through photographs and videos concerning the actor, and unauthorised use of her name and likeness for merchandise or services.
The Court questioned what evidence established that the defendants had actually earned money through her personality.
Justice Bhambhani said that simply showing the presence of an actor’s photograph or online views was not sufficient to establish commercial exploitation.
“I am against granting blanket injunctions on personality rights matters. Let me be very clear. It has to be proved that someone is making money on your images etc.”
The Court also observed that obscene material could warrant removal, but a balance had to be maintained when dealing with a public personality.
“If there is something vulgar or obscene, it will have to go but you are public personality. Where do we draw the line? A line is to be drawn. But where do we draw the line?”
The Court accordingly granted ex parte ad interim protection limited to the obscene and sexually explicit content. The wider claims concerning commercial exploitation were left for further consideration.
The matter has been tagged with similar personality-rights proceedings involving actors Janhvi Kapoor and Vivek Oberoi.
The case is next listed for September 22, 2026.
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