New Delhi: The Delhi High Court, on Tuesday, ordered Google to use its technological tools to identify and remove fake and artificial intelligence-doctored content on YouTube that misuses the image, videos, and personality of spiritual leader and Isha Foundation founder Sadhguru Jagadish Vasudev.
A single-judge bench of Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora passed an interim order in the ongoing suit filed by Sadhguru and the Isha Foundation against the rampant misuse of the mystic’s identity on online platforms.
In line with the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, Justice Arora directed Google to take action against fraudulent ads circulating on YouTube, including one featuring a fabricated video of Sadhguru’s arrest.
The Delhi High Court asked Google to engage in a collaborative dialogue with Isha Foundation to formulate a mechanism to prevent recurrence of such content, so that Isha Foundation does not have to repeatedly flag each instance of violation.
“If Defendant No. 45 (Google) has any technological limitations or reservations on this direction, it can take instructions and file an affidavit to that effect,” said Justice Arora, while referring to Rule 4(4) of the 2021 IT Rules, which mandates intermediaries to deploy tools and technology to proactively detect and remove identical or similar content, thereby eliminating the need for the plaintiff to repeatedly request takedowns.
The development came after Sadhguru’s legal team submitted fresh instances of misleading YouTube links, including those featuring fake arrest narratives.
During the court hearing, Google’s counsel said that infringing URLs reported to the company were being taken down, and it was willing to work collaboratively with Isha Foundation to address the issue.
Earlier on May 30, the Delhi High Court had recognised Sadhguru’s personality rights and directed online platforms to take down fake and AI-generated content being circulated to promote financial scams and gain subscribers.
At the time, Sadhguru’s legal team had said that rogue websites and channels were using his AI-morphed videos and doctored images to mislead users.
A single-judge bench of Justice Saurabh Banerjee had then directed several intermediaries, including Google, to suspend or disable such content.
However, according to the Isha Foundation, despite the Delhi High Court’s previous interim orders, such misleading ads had resurfaced with increased frequency.
It contended that Google’s own ad policies prohibit “clickbait ads based on negative life events” — such as false claims of arrest or death — yet such content was still being published.
“This continued circulation of deepfake and deceptive advertisements has caused widespread confusion and concern,” the Isha Foundation said, adding that thousands of people had reached out to verify false claims of Sadhguru’s arrest.
It urged the people to remain vigilant and to report any fake advertisements or videos on YouTube falsely claiming that Sadhguru has been arrested by flagging them as “scam” or “misleading”.
(IANS)
