The Delhi High Court provided interim relief to spiritual leader Aniruddhacharya Maharaj by ordering the removal of certain videos and links from online platforms, including YouTube. The court’s decision came in response to a plea seeking protection of his personality rights due to the misuse of his name, image, and videos on social media and the internet. Aniruddhacharya’s counsel highlighted that the misrepresented content was harming his reputation by attributing false statements to him.
Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, presiding over the case, questioned the jurisdiction of the Delhi High Court in a matter involving a petitioner based in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. He emphasized the global accessibility of internet content and suggested that other courts in India could address similar issues effectively. The court also commented on the role of public and religious figures, advising Aniruddhacharya to rise above concerns of praise or criticism as a religious leader.
During the proceedings, the petitioner’s counsel expressed concerns about the online content affecting the perception of Aniruddhacharya. Google, representing the online platforms, assured that misleading or AI-manipulated content could be removed following established policies. However, the court noted that some flagged links contained past statements of the petitioner, attracting criticism and questions, particularly related to remarks on women and science. The Delhi High Court instructed the removal of specific URLs and videos identified by Aniruddhacharya, with a detailed order expected to follow and a further hearing scheduled for September 23.
