In a significant legal relief for Raghav Chadha, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the removal of several allegedly defamatory and AI-manipulated social media posts targeting the Rajya Sabha MP.
The interim order came after Chadha approached the High Court, seeking protection against what he described as a coordinated online campaign that circulated false, obscene, and explicit content, allegedly damaging his reputation and public image.
Court Directs Takedown of Defamatory Content
The matter was heard by Justice Subramonium Prasad, who observed that some of the material highlighted by Chadha appeared to cross the line between legitimate criticism and prima facie defamation.
The court directed the removal of five specific social media posts or documents identified during the proceedings. However, it clarified that the remaining content cited in the petition did not appear defamatory at first glance.
Justice Prasad also noted that the present proceedings did not involve personality rights, adding that the detailed reasoning would be provided in the written order.
Petition Alleged AI-Manipulated and Defamatory Content
In his plea, Chadha argued that defamatory and AI-generated content circulating online had caused serious harm to his reputation and personal rights.
Represented by senior advocate Rajiv Nayar, Chadha’s legal team welcomed the court’s order, describing it as an important step in protecting individuals from organised online defamation.
According to the legal team, the content formed part of a coordinated campaign aimed at tarnishing the parliamentarian’s public image through multiple social media platforms.
Allegations of Coordinated Online Campaign
During the hearing, Chadha’s counsel alleged that professional influencer marketing agencies and several social media accounts were involved in amplifying defamatory content within minutes of its publication.
The legal team claimed that the posts reflected a concerted effort to spread false narratives and inflict irreparable reputational damage.
“The material placed before the Court demonstrated that defamatory posts… were disseminated across numerous social media handles within minutes, reflecting a concerted and organised effort to amplify false narratives,” Chadha’s lawyers said in a statement following the hearing.
Meta’s Stand Before the Court
Counsel representing Meta Platforms argued that several screenshots relied upon by Chadha consisted of newspaper reports or other material that was not defamatory.
After considering the submissions, the High Court ordered the removal of only the content it found to be prima facie defamatory while allowing the remaining material to remain online at this stage.
Significance of the Order
The order highlights the growing judicial scrutiny of alleged online defamation and AI-generated content. It also underscores that while freedom of expression remains a fundamental right, courts may intervene where content appears to unlawfully harm an individual’s reputation.
The detailed order from the Delhi High Court is expected to further clarify the legal principles governing online defamation, AI-generated content, and the balance between free speech and reputational rights.
