The Delhi High Court has granted interim protection to actor Tabassum Jamal Hashmi, popularly known as Tabu, against the unauthorised use of her name, image, voice and other personality attributes online. Justice Jyoti Singh, by order dated August 6, 2026, found a prima facie case for an interim injunction after examining screenshots and other disputed material.
Background of the Case
Tabassum Jamal Hashmi approached the High Court alleging that several individuals and online platforms were using her identity without permission. The allegations included an Instagram account offering bookings for her appearances despite there being no association with her, online merchandise carrying her photographs, and websites displaying her images.
The suit also concerned online publications carrying a statement allegedly attributed to Tabu which, according to her case, she had never made. The order records her contention that the material continued to circulate despite clarification from her team.
The actress further placed before the Court material involving AI-generated and manipulated images, videos and GIFs, including edited portions of films, interviews and public appearances. The pleadings stated that such material was being circulated in an obscene manner to attract viewers and generate commercial benefit.
Court’s Observation
Justice Jyoti Singh noted that Tabu’s name, stage name, image, voice and likeness had acquired distinctiveness and were closely associated with her. The Court referred to earlier Delhi High Court decisions recognising protection against unauthorised commercial exploitation of personality attributes.
The Court specifically observed that AI-generated videos using deliberately edited material to sensationalise content and divert online traffic for monetary gains could cause serious harm to a person’s goodwill, reputation and commercial value. It also noted the continuing publication of the disputed statement despite the actress’s categorical denial.
“The Plaintiff has made out a prima facie case for grant of ex parte ad interim injunction,” the Court observed.
Court’s Decision
Till the next date of hearing, the Court restrained Defendants 1 to 7, including unknown persons acting on their behalf, from using or exploiting Tabu’s name, voice, signatures, images, photographs and movie stills without her consent. The restraint expressly covers Artificial Intelligence, Generative AI, machine learning, deepfakes, face morphing and GIFs, across websites, applications, social media and other physical or virtual platforms.
The Court also directed the concerned publisher to remove the disputed statement within three days. Google, Meta, X, eBay and Reddit were directed to disable specified URLs, while GoDaddy and Hosting Concepts were ordered to lock or suspend identified domains within 36 hours.
Certain platforms were further directed to disclose basic subscriber information and IP-log details to the plaintiff.
Case Details
Case Title: Tabassum Jamal Hashmi v. Ashok Kumar & Ors.
Case Number: CS(COMM) 812/2026
Judge: Justice Jyoti Singh
Decision Date: August 6, 2026
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