Politics · India Bureau
Delhi court orders Meta to remove morphed images of woman with PM Modi
The Delhi High Court has directed Meta Platforms to immediately take down sexually explicit deepfake images of a woman that were circulated alongside photographs of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The court also issued notices to political party leaders accused of creating and distributing the morphed content.
LSN India ·
Justice Girish Kathpalia emphasized the gravity of the case, noting that the matter extends beyond a single individual to affect the country's prime minister. The judge expressed concern about the sensitivity of law enforcement agencies to such cases, warning that the court would intervene if necessary to ensure appropriate action.
The Delhi High Court issued notices to four leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party—Saurav Das, Abhijit Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka, and Ratna Singh—in response to a petition filed by the woman. The petition alleges that these individuals created and circulated deepfake images combining her photograph with morphed, vulgar content involving the prime minister.
The court directed Delhi Police to provide comprehensive security to the woman, who submitted that she has been receiving threats to her life. The high court has scheduled the matter for further hearing on October 14 to monitor compliance with its orders and assess the investigation's progress.
The case highlights growing concerns in India over the misuse of deepfake technology and morphed images for harassment and defamation, particularly targeting women. The swift judicial intervention underscores the seriousness with which courts are treating such offences under existing laws.