Delhi HC grants interim relief to curb misuse of Aishwarya Rai image

Bollywood actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan moved the Delhi High Court this week seeking protection of her publicity and personality rights, alleging that her name, images and even AI generated explicit content have been used without authorization on websites and merchandise. At a hearing before Justice Tejas Karia, the court signalled it would grant interim relief to curb further misuse and, in a subsequent order, restrained various entities from exploiting her personal attributes and directed intermediaries to remove flagged links within a specified timeframe.

Senior advocate Sandeep Sethi, appearing for Rai, told the court that her likeness was being commercially exploited and circulated in manipulated and obscene formats, including AI generated intimate images that he said were entirely fabricated. He also pointed to websites falsely presenting themselves as official, and to unauthorised merchandise such as mugs and T shirts purporting to bear the actor's image. "Her name and likeness is being used to satisfy someone’s sexual desires," Sethi said in court, calling the conduct derogatory and damaging to her dignity.

During the hearing, Justice Karia orally indicated he would pass...