Aishwarya Rai Takes Legal Steps to Stop Identity Misuse Online

Aishwarya Rai Takes Legal Steps to Stop Identity Misuse Online. Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has filed a case in the Delhi High Court to stop people from misusing her name, photos, and public image. She says her identity is being used online and in businesses without her permission including in fake websites, products, and even inappropriate content. Justice Tejas Karia, who is hearing the case, said the court is considering giving legal orders (injunctions) to prevent this misuse. The matter will be heard again on January 15, 2026.
What Are Personality Rights?
Personality rights are the rights a person has over their own name, face, voice, and image especially when they are well-known. No one can use these for business or public use without permission.

In India, these rights are protected by:

Article 21 of the Constitution, which gives every person the right to privacy and dignity.

The Trademarks Act, 1999, especially:

Section 29(4): which stops others from using a famous name or image to unfairly benefit from it.

Section 11(2): which protects names that are considered well-known, even if they are not registered trademarks.

Section 2(zb): which explains that a trademark includes names or symbols that represent a person or their work.

Misuse in Products and Fake Platforms
Aishwarya’s lawyer, Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi, told the court that her name and photos are being used without permission to sell items like:
Sale of merchandise like mugs, T-shirts, drinkware, and other items featuring her name and image without any legal authorisation. He also said that some websites and social media pages falsely claim to be her official accounts, tricking people who follow or buy from them.
This type of misuse is known as “passing off”, where someone tries to earn money by pretending to be connected to a well-known person.
To know more about the "What are well known Trademarks and How to obtain it?" 
Fake Company Claiming She’s Chairperson
Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi revealed that a company named Aishwarya Nation Wealth had listed Aishwarya as its Chairperson in official documents even though she has no connection with it. This act was described as fraudulent and misleading.
This is a serious issue that can also lead to criminal charges under Indian law, as it harms both the person’s reputation and misleads the public. 
Fake AI Images
Sethi also said that digitally altered, AI-made, and morphed photos of Aishwarya are being shared online including obscene content. This is a violation of her privacy and dignity.
Such actions may be punished under:

Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which bans the sharing of obscene content online.

The right to privacy, which was firmly recognized by the Supreme Court of India as a fundamental right.

Delhi High Court Ruling
Justice Tejas Karia, the judge hearing the case, said that each case of misuse might need to be dealt with one by one. While the court would prefer to give one main order to stop all the misuse, it might have to give separate orders for each person or website involved, depending on the situation. The judge also told Aishwarya’s lawyers that they can use the Blocking and Screening Instructions (BSI) process, which helps remove harmful content from the internet more quickly.
Why This Case Is Important
This case shows a serious problem that is becoming more common in the digital world the misuse of a person’s name, image, or identity, especially when the person is a celebrity. People like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan often become targets, with others using their identity without permission to sell products or spread fake or inappropriate content. Now, with tools like artificial intelligence (AI) and photo editing apps, it’s easier than ever to create and share fake images and videos. This makes it more important to have strong rules and systems that protect people online. If the court decides in Aishwarya’s favour, it could lead to better legal protection for all public figures. It would also show that using someone’s identity without asking whether for business or bad purposes is wrong and punishable by law. This case could also push online platforms to act faster and more seriously when they are asked to remove harmful or fake content.
Final Note of the Article
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s case is about more than just protecting her own image it is about setting a strong legal example in the digital age. As technology grows, so do the risks of fake content, identity theft, and unauthorised use of personal images. If the court rules in her favour, it could help build stronger laws and better systems to protect personality rights in India. It will also warn others that using someone’s name or image without permission whether for profit or abuse is not just unethical, but also illegal. The next hearing is on January 15, 2026, and many are watching closely to see how the court will respond. 
FAQs
Q1. What are personality rights?
Ans. Personality rights are legal rights that protect an individual’s name, image, voice, and likeness from unauthorised use. For celebrities, these rights ensure that no one exploits their identity for profit or misuse without consent.
Q2. Why did Aishwarya Rai Bachchan approach the Delhi High Court?
 Ans. She approached the court because her name, photos, and identity were being misused on fake websites, merchandise, AI-generated images, and even by a fraudulent company falsely claiming her as Chairperson.
Q3. Which laws in India protect personality rights?
Ans. Article 21 of the Constitution: Right to privacy and dignity.

Trademarks Act, 1999: Sections 29(4), 11(2), and 2(zb) cover misuse of well-known names/images.

IT Act, 2000 (Section 67): Prohibits obscene online content.

Q4. What is “passing off” in this case?
 Ans. Passing off is when someone falsely presents a product, service, or platform as being connected to a celebrity to earn profits. Here, fake merchandise and social media pages pretended to be linked to Aishwarya.
Q5. How was AI misused in this case?
 Ans. Digitally altered and AI-generated images of Aishwarya, including obscene content, were circulated online. This violated her privacy and harmed her dignity.
Q6. What directions did the Delhi High Court give?
 Ans. Justice Tejas Karia noted that misuse cases may need individual orders. He also allowed Aishwarya’s lawyers to use the Blocking and Screening Instructions (BSI) process for faster online content removal.
Q7. Why is this case important for India?
 Ans. This case highlights the growing issue of identity misuse in the digital era, especially with AI tools. A ruling in Aishwarya’s favour could strengthen legal protections for celebrities and ordinary people against fake content and online exploitation.
Q8. Can misuse of identity lead to criminal charges?
 Ans. Yes. Fraudulent use of someone’s identity or obscene content distribution can invite criminal liability under Indian law, apart from civil injunctions and damages.
Q9. What is the next step in this case?
 Ans. The Delhi High Court will hear the matter again on January 15, 2026. The outcome may set a precedent for stronger personality rights protection in India.

Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has filed a case in the Delhi High Court to stop people from misusing her name, photos, and public image. She says her identity is being used online and in businesses without her permission including in fake websites, products, and even inappropriate content. Justice Tejas Karia, who is hearing the case, said the court is considering giving legal orders (injunctions) to prevent this misuse. The matter will be heard again on January 15, 2026.

What Are Personality Rights?

Personality rights are the rights a person has over their own name, face, voice, and image especially when they are well-known. No one can use these for business or public use without permission.

In India, these rights are protected by:

Article 21 of the Constitution, which gives every person the right to privacy and dignity.

The Trademarks Act, 1999, especially:

Section 29(4): which stops others from using a famous name or image to unfairly benefit from it.

Section 11(2): which protects names that are considered well-known, even if they are not registered trademarks.

Section 2(zb): which explains that a trademark includes names or symbols that represent a person or their work.

Misuse in Products and Fake Platforms

Aishwarya’s lawyer, Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi, told the court that her name and photos are being used without permission to sell items like:

Sale of merchandise like mugs, T-shirts, drinkware, and other items featuring her name and image without any legal authorisation. He also said that some websites and social media pages falsely claim to be her official accounts, tricking people who follow or buy from them.

This type of misuse is known as “passing off”, where someone tries to earn money by pretending to be connected to a well-known person.

To know more about the "What are well known Trademarks and How to obtain it?"

Fake Company Claiming She’s Chairperson

Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi revealed that a company named Aishwarya Nation Wealth had listed Aishwarya as its Chairperson in official documents even though she has no connection with it. This act was described as fraudulent and misleading.

This is a serious issue that can also lead to criminal charges under Indian law, as it harms both the person’s reputation and misleads the public.

Fake AI Images

Sethi also said that digitally altered, AI-made, and morphed photos of Aishwarya are being shared online including obscene content. This is a violation of her privacy and dignity.

Such actions may be punished under:

Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which bans the sharing of obscene content online.

The right to privacy, which was firmly recognized by the Supreme Court of India as a fundamental right.

Delhi High Court Ruling

Justice Tejas Karia, the judge hearing the case, said that each case of misuse might need to be dealt with one by one. While the court would prefer to give one main order to stop all the misuse, it might have to give separate orders for each person or website involved, depending on the situation. The judge also told Aishwarya’s lawyers that they can use the Blocking and Screening Instructions (BSI) process, which helps remove harmful content from the internet more quickly.

Why This Case Is Important

This case shows a serious problem that is becoming more common in the digital world the misuse of a person’s name, image, or identity, especially when the person is a celebrity. People like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan often become targets, with others using their identity without permission to sell products or spread fake or inappropriate content. Now, with tools like artificial intelligence (AI) and photo editing apps, it’s easier than ever to create and share fake images and videos. This makes it more important to have strong rules and systems that protect people online. If the court decides in Aishwarya’s favour, it could lead to better legal protection for all public figures. It would also show that using someone’s identity without asking whether for business or bad purposes is wrong and punishable by law. This case could also push online platforms to act faster and more seriously when they are asked to remove harmful or fake content.

Final Note of the Article

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s case is about more than just protecting her own image it is about setting a strong legal example in the digital age. As technology grows, so do the risks of fake content, identity theft, and unauthorised use of personal images. If the court rules in her favour, it could help build stronger laws and better systems to protect personality rights in India. It will also warn others that using someone’s name or image without permission whether for profit or abuse is not just unethical, but also illegal. The next hearing is on January 15, 2026, and many are watching closely to see how the court will respond.

FAQs

Q1. What are personality rights?

Ans. Personality rights are legal rights that protect an individual’s name, image, voice, and likeness from unauthorised use. For celebrities, these rights ensure that no one exploits their identity for profit or misuse without consent.

Q2. Why did Aishwarya Rai Bachchan approach the Delhi High Court?

Ans. She approached the court because her name, photos, and identity were being misused on fake websites, merchandise, AI-generated images, and even by a fraudulent company falsely claiming her as Chairperson.

Q3. Which laws in India protect personality rights?

Ans. Article 21 of the Constitution: Right to privacy and dignity.

Trademarks Act, 1999: Sections 29(4), 11(2), and 2(zb) cover misuse of well-known names/images.
IT Act, 2000 (Section 67): Prohibits obscene online content.

Q4. What is “passing off” in this case?

Ans. Passing off is when someone falsely presents a product, service, or platform as being connected to a celebrity to earn profits. Here, fake merchandise and social media pages pretended to be linked to Aishwarya.

Q5. How was AI misused in this case?

Ans. Digitally altered and AI-generated images of Aishwarya, including obscene content, were circulated online. This violated her privacy and harmed her dignity.

Q6. What directions did the Delhi High Court give?

Ans. Justice Tejas Karia noted that misuse cases may need individual orders. He also allowed Aishwarya’s lawyers to use the Blocking and Screening Instructions (BSI) process for faster online content removal.

Q7. Why is this case important for India?

Ans. This case highlights the growing issue of identity misuse in the digital era, especially with AI tools. A ruling in Aishwarya’s favour could strengthen legal protections for celebrities and ordinary people against fake content and online exploitation.

Q8. Can misuse of identity lead to criminal charges?

Ans. Yes. Fraudulent use of someone’s identity or obscene content distribution can invite criminal liability under Indian law, apart from civil injunctions and damages.

Q9. What is the next step in this case?

Ans. The Delhi High Court will hear the matter again on January 15, 2026. The outcome may set a precedent for stronger personality rights protection in India.