The Delhi High Court has directed social media platforms to take down AI-generated posts circulated by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), depicting Chief Minister Rekha Gupta as a liquor vendor, hawker and delivery agent.
The interim order came in a defamation suit filed by Gupta, who alleged that the digitally created images and videos were vulgar, offensive and damaging to her reputation.
Justice Manoj Jain directed the platforms to remove the content immediately, observing that the portrayals crossed the limits of legitimate political criticism.
The posts also depicted Gupta as the head of a purported “Har Har Rekha or Ghar Ghar Theka” scheme, drawing a sharp response from the Court.
While acknowledging that political parties are free to criticise government policies, administrative decisions and public actions, the Court made it clear that such criticism cannot be used as a shield for degrading personal portrayals.
“Admittedly, any political party is entitled to criticise any governmental policy or decision or administrative action of the government,” the Court observed.
However, it added that using AI-generated videos to portray the Chief Minister in an offensive manner and undermine her dignity could not be considered permissible political satire.
The Court further emphasised that holding public office subjects an individual to greater scrutiny, but does not strip them of their dignity.
It described the disputed content as defamatory and offensive, noting that it targeted not merely the Chief Minister’s official conduct but also the dignity of a woman holding a constitutional position.
Gupta had approached the Court alleging that the AI-generated images and videos circulated by AAP portrayed her as a liquor seller and delivery agent in a manner that damaged her moral character and public standing. She argued that the content went beyond political criticism and could cause harm that could not be adequately remedied later.
The High Court passed the interim directions without hearing the other side and also issued notices and summons to AAP and the other defendants in the case.
The proceedings will now continue as the parties respond to the allegations raised in the defamation suit.