The Delhi High Court has ordered Meta and Google to take down several Facebook pages and YouTube channels found circulating deepfake videos of India TV chairman Rajat Sharma, while also setting up a faster process for the veteran journalist and his channel to flag future violations.
In a permanent injunction dated August 24, Justice Jyoti Singh directed both platforms to acknowledge takedown requests within 24 hours and act within 36 hours, with the plaintiffs free to return to court if the platforms don’t comply.
Named in the order are Facebook pages including TAMARA DOC, Indian Medical Association, New Convivio, Travinin, The Hope of Your Joints, LEGEND MAP 62 and MESONERO SOTO, along with YouTube channels THE INDIAN NEWS TODAY and Sone Chandi Ka Bhav. The court held that the defendants used AI to fabricate Sharma’s voice, image and likeness, spreading misinformation while also infringing India TV’s trademarks and copyright.
The dispute traces back to 2024, when Sharma and India TV first approached the court; an ex parte order that December restrained eight defendants. Two more YouTube channels were later dropped after Google confirmed it had already terminated them following review.
Beyond the immediate takedowns, the decree lets Sharma and India TV approach the platforms directly with any newly discovered content misusing his persona, name or likeness — without needing to file a fresh case each time. The plaintiffs have also been given liberty to seek recognition of India TV’s trademarks as “well-known” in a future suit.
