Delhi High Court issues order in Sunil Gavaskar’s personality-rights case:Tells social media platforms to act in 7 days; Why did legendary cricketer move the HC?

The Delhi High Court has directed social media platforms to take action within seven days in a case related to the protection of personality rights, based on a petition filed by former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar. That means, anything related to legendary Indian cricketer, whether it be his name, voice, or face, cannot be used without his consent, especially by social media platforms. Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora told Gavaskar’s lawyer to first contact social media intermediaries regarding his complaints. The High Court directed social media intermediaries to accept Gavaskar’s lawsuit as a complaint under the IT Act 2021 and take necessary steps within 7 days. This Act includes guidelines related to social media and the Digital Media Ethics Code. The Court said- If social media intermediaries have any objection to any ‘weblink’ provided by Gavaskar, they should inform him. The court directed Gavaskar (the plaintiff) to provide proof of instances when his name, voice, or face was used without his consent to gain profit on social media platforms like X, Instagram, and others. What is the whole matter? Gavaskar had approached the High Court to prevent the unauthorised use of his name, pictures, personality and identity by social media platforms and e-commerce websites and to protect his personality rights. Also Read: ‘Never done intoxication, other players get addicted’:Rivaba praises husband Ravindra Jadeja; Irfan-Dhoni’s hookah controversy resurfaces Under personality rights, an individual has the right to protect their picture, name or identity, to control them and to profit from their use. The celebrities who hold personality rights Before Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan, actor Jackie Shroff also approached the court in May this year. He alleged that his images and videos were being misused to sell merchandise without his permission. At that time, the court protected his personality and publicity rights. In 2023, the court prevented the misuse of Anil Kapoor’s image, voice, and his signature catchphrase “Jhakaas.” Similarly, in November 2022, Amitabh Bachchan’s personality and publicity rights were also protected. This case could now set an important precedent regarding the privacy and publicity rights of celebrities in the digital age. The next court hearing will clarify whether the court will issue any interim order immediately. Aishwarya-Abhishek, Hrithik and Karan Johar also appealed to the court Film artists Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, her husband Abhishek Bachchan and mother-in-law Jaya Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan, Ajay Devgn, filmmaker Karan Johar, singer Kumar Sanu and Telugu actor A Nagarjuna also approached the High Court for the protection of Personality and Advertising Rights. The court granted them interim relief. Film actor Salman Khan and Telugu actor Junior NTR also approached the Delhi High Court for the protection of their personality rights.