Archive · 17 Nov 2025
Delhi High Court Grants Podcaster Raj Shamani Interim Protection for Personality Rights
A famous podcaster named Raj Shamani went to court because people were using his name, voice, and pictures without his permission.
He said that fake videos were being made about him, and that people were pretending to be him online to promote things like crypto and fake books.
The court said it will help protect him and will issue an order to stop this misuse.
However, the judge said they cannot block all the hashtags with his name because fans might use them too.
The court also said they won't stop people from making funny videos or parodies about him right now, as those are different issues.
The court will look at the clearest examples of misuse first.
The Delhi High Court announced it will issue an injunction order to protect podcaster Raj Shamani's personality rights.
Summons were issued to Meta, Google, X Corp, Telegram, and YouTube regarding Shamani's plea against unauthorized use of his image, voice, and persona.
Shamani alleged the circulation of AI-generated deepfakes, fake endorsements, impersonation through chatbots and Telegram, and unauthorized promotion of crypto schemes and books.
The court stated it would not pass a blanket order against all hashtags containing Shamani's name, nor against parody or satirical videos at this stage.
The judge noted that relief could be granted against some prayers, while others would require separate proceedings.
- Who
- Podcaster and entrepreneur Raj Shamani
- What
- The Delhi High Court announced it will pass an injunction order protecting Raj Shamani's personality rights against unauthorized use of his image, persona, likeness, and voice, while issuing summons to several social media platforms. The court declined to issue a blanket order against all hashtags or immediately against parody content.
- When
- Monday
- Where
- Delhi High Court
- Why
- To restrain the unauthorized use of his identity, including AI-generated deepfakes, fake endorsements, impersonation, and other forms of misuse circulating online.
Raj Shamani's Arguments
Court's Considerations
Misuse of Name, Image, Voice, and Persona
Raj Shamani's Arguments
Raj Shamani's counsel argued for restraint against unauthorized use of his image, persona, likeness, and voice, citing AI-generated deepfakes, fake endorsements, impersonation via chatbots and Telegram channels, and unauthorized promotion of crypto schemes and books.
Court's Considerations
The court issued summons to social media platforms and stated it would pass an injunction order protecting his personality rights, but focused on specific, evidence-supported allegations rather than a blanket order on all potential misuses.
Use of Hashtags
Raj Shamani's Arguments
Shamani's legal team contended that hashtags and memes were exploited to increase visibility and sought to restrain their use.
Court's Considerations
The court expressed reservations about granting relief on hashtags at this stage, acknowledging they can be used by fans and not solely by impersonators, suggesting the issue be raised in subsequent hearings.
Parody and Satirical Content
Raj Shamani's Arguments
The plea implicitly included concerns about the exploitation of clips and scripts, which could encompass parody or satire.
Court's Considerations
The court explicitly stated it was not passing any order against parody or satirical videos, indicating these would need separate legal consideration.
- Petitioner
- Raj Shamani (Podcaster and Entrepreneur)
- Court
- Delhi High Court
- Judge
- Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora
- Platforms Summoned
- Meta Platforms, Google, X Corp, Telegram, YouTube
- Allegations
- Unauthorized use of image, persona, likeness, and voice; AI-generated deepfakes; fake endorsements; impersonation via chatbots/Telegram channels; promotion of crypto schemes and books; unauthorized use of podcast clips and scripts.
- Interim Relief Granted
- Injunction order protecting personality rights (details to be provided in a detailed order).
- Interim Relief Denied (at this stage)
- Blanket order against all hashtags containing his name; order against parody or satirical videos.
