Delhi HC Protects Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s Personality Rights

The Delhi High Court has issued directions against the unauthorised commercial and online exploitation of Bollywood actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s identity, stressing that courts “cannot turn a blind eye” to violations of personality rights.

Order by Justice Tejas Karia

In an order passed on September 9, Justice Tejas Karia observed that the unauthorised use of a celebrity’s likeness without consent not only results in commercial harm but also undermines their right to privacy and dignity.

Plea by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

The order came in response to a plea filed by Ms. Rai Bachchan, who highlighted that websites and unidentified individuals were circulating AI-generated pornographic and intimate visuals by superimposing her face. Additionally, merchandise was being sold using her identity without authorisation.

Court’s Explanation: Two Facets of Violation

The court explained that the unauthorised exploitation of an individual’s personality attributes may have two dimensions:

1. Violation of the right to protect personality attributes from commercial exploitation.
2. Violation of the right to privacy, which undermines the individual’s right to live with dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution.