The Delhi High Court has directed Meta and Google to remove multiple Facebook pages and YouTube channels that circulated deepfake videos featuring India TV chairman and journalist Rajat Sharma.
In a permanent injunction decree dated August 24, Justice Jyoti Singh directed the platforms to acknowledge takedown requests from Sharma and India TV within 24 hours and act on them within the following 36 hours. If the platforms fail to comply, the plaintiffs can approach the court for further directions.
The Facebook pages named in the decree include TAMARA DOC, Indian Medical Association, New Convivio, Travinin, The Hope of Your Joints, LEGEND MAP 62 and MESONERO SOTO. The YouTube channels include THE INDIAN NEWS TODAY and Sone Chandi Ka Bhav.
The court observed that the defendants had allegedly used AI technology to create doctored videos featuring altered and modulated images, voices and other personality traits of Sharma. It also noted allegations of unauthorised use of India TV's registered trademarks and copyrighted material.
The order described Sharma as a prominent journalist who has been a face of Indian television for more than two decades. It noted that he has hosted Aap Ki Adalat for 29 years and was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2015.
The case originated in 2024, when Sharma and India TV approached the court over the circulation of deepfake content. In an ex parte order dated December 18, 2024, the court restrained eight defendants, including the Facebook pages named in the latest decree.
Four YouTube channels — THE REAL REPORT, THE INDIAN NEWS TODAY, JSR NEWS and Sone Chandi Ka Bhav — were subsequently added as defendants after being identified as allegedly circulating deepfake videos using Sharma's personality attributes.
Google told the court in November 2025 that it had terminated The Real Report and JSR News following complaints and a review of the accounts on October 30, 2024. The accounts operated by The Indian News Today and Sone Chandi Ka Bhav were under review at the time.
The court later directed Google to remove the two remaining YouTube channels within 36 hours of the order being uploaded and disclose available subscriber information, IP logs and other access and contact details associated with the accounts.
The decree also provides Sharma and India TV with a mechanism to seek takedowns of additional content discovered in connection with the case. They can approach Meta and Google with details of URLs or material involving the alleged misuse of Sharma's name, likeness, image, voice, photographs, videos or other aspects of his persona.
The order further covers content that may infringe Sharma's personality and publicity rights, as well as copyright and India TV's trademark rights. The plaintiffs have also been given liberty to seek a declaration that India TV's trademarks are well-known marks under Section 2(1)(zg) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999, in a subsequent suit.
