The Delhi High Court on Tuesday granted interim protection to yoga guru Swami Ramdev, directing the removal of several online posts, videos and product listings that allegedly misuse his name, image and voice through artificial intelligence (AI) and other digital tools.
Hearing a commercial suit filed by Swami Ramdev against unidentified persons and social media platforms, Justice Jyoti Singh passed an ex parte ad interim injunction, noting that the material placed before the Court showed prima facie misuse of his personality and publicity rights.
The order was delivered on February 18, 2026.
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Background of the Case
Swami Ramdev approached the High Court alleging that over the past few months, several AI-generated deepfake videos, morphed images, parody accounts and misleading product endorsements had surfaced across platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and certain e-commerce websites.
According to the plaint, his name, visual appearance - including saffron robes and long beard - voice, style of speech and other distinctive traits are uniquely associated with him and form part of his personality rights. The suit claimed that these attributes were being used without his consent for commercial gain, online engagement and circulation.
His counsel argued that some of the content falsely portrayed him as endorsing health products, medicines and even liquor brands. It was submitted that such portrayals not only damage his reputation but may also mislead the public.
During the hearing, a detailed tabular chart of URLs was handed over to the Court, listing the allegedly infringing content across platforms.
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What the Plaintiff Argued
Senior Advocate Rajiv Nayar, appearing for Swami Ramdev, told the Court that the misuse of AI tools to create fabricated videos and voice clones amounts to a serious violation of personality and privacy rights.
He submitted that the unauthorized digital manipulation of Ramdev’s likeness - especially in advertisements and misleading medical endorsements - could cause “irreparable harm” both to his goodwill and to public interest.
It was argued that:
- The content falsely suggested endorsement of products.
- AI-generated videos distorted his spiritual image.
- Several posts ridiculed him using morphed images and altered contexts.
- E-commerce listings used his photographs to sell goods without authorization.
Counsel emphasized that “no individual can commercially exploit a public figure’s persona without consent,” and sought urgent takedown directions.
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Stand of Social Media Platforms
Meta Platforms (Facebook/Instagram) and X Corp. appeared through counsel. It was submitted that certain links were already inactive and that some content may fall under satire, parody or commentary - which are protected forms of speech.
X Corp.’s counsel argued that some posts merely commented on public controversies involving Ramdev and should not automatically be treated as unlawful. It was also submitted that certain accounts had already been suspended for violating platform policies.
The plaintiff, however, clarified before the Court that at this stage he was not pressing for a global injunction and would confine the relief within India.
Court’s Observations
After examining the material on record, Justice Jyoti Singh observed that Swami Ramdev is a well-known public figure who has built considerable goodwill through decades of work in yoga and Ayurveda.
The Court noted that the unauthorized use of his name, image, voice and likeness - particularly through AI-generated deepfakes - amounted, at least prima facie, to misappropriation.
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The bench observed that such content could mislead the public into believing that the accounts or endorsements were official.
The Court further noted that certain posts depicting him endorsing products or medicines he had no connection with “may tarnish his credibility and undermine the trust reposed in him.”
It added that misleading health-related endorsements could also have consequences for public interest.
The Court’s Decision
Finding that a prima facie case was made out, the Court granted an ex parte ad interim injunction in favour of Swami Ramdev.
The Court restrained the defendants and all associated persons from:
- Using the names “Ramdev”, “Swami Ramdev”, “Baba Ramdev”, “Yog Guru Ramdev” or variations thereof;
- Using his voice, image, likeness or distinctive style;
- Creating AI-generated content, deepfake videos or voice-cloned material featuring him;
- Selling or advertising products using his persona without consent.
The Court directed specific platforms to take down identified URLs within 72 hours. Certain YouTube, Amazon, Facebook, X and Pinterest links listed in annexures to the order were ordered to be disabled or blocked.
The injunction will operate till the next date of hearing.
Case Title: Swami Ramdev v. John Doe(s) & Ors.
Case No.: CS(COMM) 147/2026
Decision Date: February 18, 2026
