In a case where name confusion turned dangerously viral, the Bombay High Court has stepped in to silence the digital impersonation of playback singer Sonu Nigam—by someone who isn’t him, but claims the same name.
The man behind the confusion is one Sonu Nigam Singh, a self-proclaimed criminal lawyer from Bihar, who stirred a social media storm using an X (formerly Twitter) handle simply labeled “Sonu Nigam.” That was enough to confuse thousands—over 90,000 followers, including high-profile names like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Smriti Irani—into thinking he was the famed singer.
But confusion gave way to chaos when Singh’s posts took a turn toward the provocative—loaded with politically charged and communal undertones. These weren’t the musings of a pop icon. Still, the public backlash landed squarely on the real Sonu Nigam’s doorstep.
Represented in court by advocate Hiren Kamod, the singer argued that Singh’s online identity masquerade violated his personality rights and created a false association that had real-world consequences. Kamod spotlighted 14 specific incidents of inflammatory or misleading content, including a targeted post criticizing BJP MP Tejasvi Surya over Kannada films. Even fan compliments intended for the singer were casually accepted by Singh without correction, compounding the deception.
And while Singh wasn’t directly making money from this identity theft, Kamod noted he had gained significant social currency—an audience in the tens of thousands and a platform amplified by mistaken fame.
Justice R.I. Chagla didn’t need more convincing. In an ex-parte ruling, the court restrained Singh from continuing to pose as the singer and ordered him to clearly identify himself as “Sonu Nigam Singh” on X.
Kamod also drew attention to the fact that the singer had abandoned Twitter years ago, in protest over what he called a biased platform—a move that may have inadvertently left a vacuum that Singh exploited.
Trademark or not, argued the singer’s legal team, public recognition of a name brings its own form of legal protection. And the court agreed: notoriety carries weight, and misuse of a public figure’s identity—even if unregistered—won’t be tolerated.
For now, the real Sonu Nigam can rest easier knowing that his name, at least in the digital world, is back under his own tune.
