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Delhi HC Issues Notice to CJP Activists Over Deepfake Targeting PM Modi
- •The Delhi High Court issued notices to activists Saurav Das, Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka, and Ratna Singh following a woman's petition alleging circulation of AI-generated deepfake images depicting her with PM Narendra Modi.
- •The court ordered social media intermediaries to purge offending posts within 24 hours and granted immediate police protection to the petitioner, noting the case's serious implications for individual dignity and constitutional office.
- •A division bench highlighted that the matter extends beyond a single individual, directly involving the Prime Minister, and assured sensitive handling of the investigation by law enforcement.
- •The petition detailed how activists associated with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) allegedly used AI face-swapping technology to morph the woman's photo onto compromising imagery with the PM, printing banners and parading them at Jantar Mantar.
- •The ruling sets a legal precedent against the weaponization of non-consensual deepfake content during political protests, mandating immediate content suppression by digital platforms and law enforcement.
Key Questions Answered
The Delhi High Court issued formal notices to political activists Saurav Das, Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka, and Ratna Singh following a criminal petition alleging that AI-generated explicit deepfake images of a woman alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi were circulated during public demonstrations.
The court directed social media intermediaries to purge the offending posts across all digital platforms within 24 hours and ordered digital platforms and law enforcement to trace, block, and remove the morphed images in all public domains.
To address the petitioner's safety concerns regarding death and rape threats, the bench granted immediate police protection and directed the Delhi Police to ensure full security for the victim while closely monitoring the situation to prevent further harassment.
