Gautam Gambhir Takes Legal Action Against AI Misuse and Deepfakes
Gautam Gambhir Seeks Legal Relief
Former cricketer and ex-MP Gautam Gambhir has approached the Delhi High Court for urgent intervention regarding the alleged exploitation of his identity through artificial intelligence, deepfake technology, and unauthorized commercial activities.
Hearing Delayed Due to Document Issues
The court has rescheduled the hearing for Monday after identifying discrepancies in the case documents. Justice Jyoti Singh presided over the session, noting inconsistencies between the plaint and the memo of parties concerning the involved parties' descriptions. This discrepancy was raised by the defendant intermediaries. Gambhir's attorney, Advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai, requested additional time to rectify the errors, and the court instructed that a revised memo of parties be submitted before the next hearing.
Concerns Over AI-Generated Content
During the proceedings, Dehadrai emphasized the seriousness of the situation, asserting that a compelling prima facie case exists. He requested immediate protective measures for Gambhir, citing the circulation of numerous deepfake videos that falsely depict him making statements about resigning or acting inappropriately with fellow players. He also mentioned a particularly troubling instance where Gambhir's face was superimposed onto an image of Mahatma Gandhi, describing it as deeply unsettling.
Furthermore, the counsel informed the court about a recent false rumor regarding Gambhir's resignation as a coach, which has further tarnished his reputation. With over 12 million followers on Twitter, Gambhir's social media presence is being exploited to disseminate and amplify misleading content.
Legal Demands for Injunction and Compensation
In his legal petition, Gambhir is seeking a permanent injunction to prevent all defendants from using his name, image, voice, or identity without his explicit consent. He has also requested an immediate order to remove the infringing content and halt further distribution while the case is ongoing. Additionally, he is pursuing damages amounting to Rs 2.5 crore and a complete accounting of profits generated from such misuse.
The petition identifies 16 defendants, including social media accounts, platform operators, and e-commerce sites, alleging that his identity has been exploited to sell unauthorized products online.
Rising Concerns Over Personality Rights
The plea highlights a surge in fake AI-generated content since late 2025, featuring videos that falsely portray Gambhir making statements he never uttered. Many of these videos have garnered significant viewership, misleading the public and damaging his reputation.
The case is grounded in the provisions of the Copyright Act, Trade Marks Act, and Commercial Courts Act, underscoring the increasing concern regarding the misuse of personality rights in the era of artificial intelligence.
The court is set to continue hearing the case on Monday.