Gautam Gambhir Takes Legal Action Against AI Misuse and Deepfakes

Gautam Gambhir, the head coach of the Indian cricket team, has approached the Delhi High Court to combat the unauthorized use of his identity through artificial intelligence and deepfakes. He is seeking a permanent injunction against the exploitation of his name and image, along with damages of ₹2.5 crore. Gambhir claims that since late 2025, there has been a surge in fabricated content misrepresenting him, which has harmed his reputation. The case raises broader concerns about the implications of AI misuse on personal dignity and legal rights. The court is expected to consider his plea for interim relief soon.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 19, 2026, 16:48 IST

Gautam Gambhir's Legal Challenge

Gautam Gambhir, the head coach of the Indian cricket team and a former Member of Parliament, has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court. He is seeking immediate action against the unauthorized use of his identity through artificial intelligence, deepfakes, and commercial exploitation.

Legal Demands and Injunctions

In his legal filing, Gambhir is requesting a permanent injunction to prevent all defendants from using his name, image, voice, or likeness without his explicit permission. He has also asked for an urgent ex-parte ad-interim injunction to remove all infringing content and halt further distribution of such material until the case is resolved. Additionally, he is claiming damages of ₹2.5 crore and a detailed accounting of profits made from the misuse.

Claims of Identity Misuse

Gambhir asserts that since late 2025, there has been a significant increase in fake digital content created using AI technologies, including face-swapping and voice cloning. This content falsely portrays him making statements he never actually made. Some of these fabricated videos, such as a fake resignation announcement and misleading comments about senior cricketers, have attracted millions of views, misleading the public and harming his reputation.

Moreover, he alleges that his identity has been exploited commercially through the sale of unauthorized merchandise on various e-commerce platforms without his consent.

Details of the Legal Action

The lawsuit targets 16 defendants, including various social media accounts, platform operators, and e-commerce companies. Government agencies have also been included as pro forma parties to facilitate the enforcement of any court orders.

The petition references laws under the Copyright Act, Trade Marks Act, and Commercial Courts Act, emphasizing judicial precedents that recognize personality and publicity rights as enforceable, especially in the context of AI misuse.

Wider Implications of AI Misuse

Gambhir has highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating that his identity has been 'weaponized' by anonymous accounts to disseminate false information and generate profit. He emphasizes that this issue transcends personal injury, raising significant concerns regarding dignity and legal safeguards in the era of artificial intelligence.

The Delhi High Court is expected to address this matter soon, considering Gambhir's request for interim relief.