Delhi High Court Asks Social Media Platforms To Act On Salman Khan's Plea To Protect Personality Rights, Bars Unauthorized Merchandise Sale

The Delhi High Court on Thursday (December 11) directed various social media intermediaries to treat a suit filed by actor Salman Khan seeking protection of his personality rights as a complaint under the Information Technology Rules and take steps within three days. Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora passed the order in the actor's suit filed against various defendants, including John does (unknown entities). The court also said that it shall pass an interim order with respect to those entities which are not social media intermediaries selling unauthorized merchandise using the actor's image and likeness. The actor is aggrieved by use of his persona, including his image, voice and other traits, for commercial use without his consent or authorisation.During the hearing the court orally said to senior advocate Sandeep Sethi appearing for Khan, "Your briefing counsel must be aware of an order I passed in another suit wrt party approaching the social media platforms and then coming to court. Are you not aware of it? Please look at Ajay Devgn matter". The court, while granting interim relief Devgn, had said that it will clarify in the order that henceforth, the plaintiffs in such cases will have to first lodge protest with the social media intermediaries.The court today also referred to order passed in suit filed by actor junior NTR. For context, on December 08, actor Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, popularly known as NTR Junior, moved the Court seeking similar relief. Justice Arora had directed the social media platforms and e commerce platforms to treat the his suit as a complaint under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.It thereafter said, "What we will do is, as per second order, we will direct you to approach social media intermediaries and after one week, if they object, i will pass a composite order". Agreeing Sethi however said, "Qua other parties, who are non intermediaries, who are exploiting my personality, I want to press relief".The Court sought details about other defendants, including e-marketplaces and merchandise allegedly being sold using the actor's images.The court thereafter in its order dictated: "Counsel for plaintiff states that similar directions be issued to defendant 2,3,4,6 to treat the plaint as a complaint to them as per the IT Rules 2021. Counsels for the said defendants accept notice. The said defendants are directed to treat plaint as complaint and to take steps in accordance with Rules within three days. In case they have any reservations to any link, they shall inform the plaintiff. The counsel for plaintiff refers to an account which uses handle being in touch is directly violating the registered trademark “being in touch.” The defendant 2 will take into consideration the IP rights pleaded in plaint before taking any action"With respect to defendants which are stated to be non-social media intermediaries the court orally said that it shall pass a "stay order qua others".Recently, coordinate benches have passed orders protecting the personality rights of “The Art of Living” foundation founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Telugu actor Nagarjuna, Bollywood actors Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan and film producer Karan Johar.Notably, Justice Arora recently protected the personality rights of journalist Sudhir Chaudhary, who had sought relief regarding the circulation of allegedly misleading and AI-generated videos against him on social media.The judge also passed a john doe order protecting the personality rights of podcaster Raj Shamani, observing that he is a known face in India, especially in the field of content creation.Khan was represented by senior advocate Sandeep Sethi, advocates Nizam Pasha, Parag Khandhar, Shreya Sethi, Chandrima Mitra, Tapan Radkar, Zara Dhanbhoora, Krishan Kumar and Siddharth Kaushik. Case Title: Salman Khan v. Ashok Kumar v. OrsCitation: 2025 LiveLaw (Del) 1693CS(COMM)- 1322/2025

Delhi High Court Asks Social Media Platforms To Act On Salman Khan's Plea To Protect Personality Rights, Bars Unauthorized Merchandise Sale

Nupur Thapliyal

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Delhi High Court Asks Social Media Platforms To Act On Salman Khan's Plea To Protect Personality Rights, Bars Unauthorized Merchandise Sale

Nupur Thapliyal

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