In a legal fight against the unauthorized use of personal images, a woman has moved the Bombay High Court after discovering that her photograph was widely used in government advertisements and political campaigns—without her permission.
The controversy began when a photographer from her village captured her image and later uploaded it to Shutterstock, a stock photo platform. This made the image accessible for use, leading to its inclusion in promotional materials for multiple state governments—including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Odisha, and Telangana—as well as in political campaigns and private advertisements.
Arguing that this use of her likeness violated her fundamental right to privacy, she has sought a permanent injunction to prevent further distribution and legal action against those responsible. The High Court acknowledged the seriousness of the issue, particularly in an era where digital content spreads rapidly across platforms.
A bench led by Justice G.S. Kulkarni and Justice Advait M. Sethna has directed responses from the photographer, the stock photo platform, and the involved government bodies. The case is set for further hearing on March 24, with privacy rights and digital consent at the center of the legal debate.