Delhi HC Orders Meta to Remove Morphed Images Within 24 Hours

The Delhi High Court has moved swiftly to address a case of image-based abuse, directing Meta Platforms to remove morphed images of a woman from its services within 24 hours. The order represents the court's recognition of the serious harm caused by non-consensual intimate imagery and the urgency required in such matters.

In its interim relief order, the court issued notices to four individuals—Saurav Das, Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka, and Ratna Singh—directing them to respond to the allegations. The case falls under the broader category of cybercrime involving the creation and circulation of morphed intimate images, which has emerged as a significant concern across India's digital landscape.

The Delhi Police have been mandated to file a comprehensive status report within two weeks, outlining the progress of their investigation and the steps taken to identify and prosecute those responsible for creating and uploading the morphed content. This timeline indicates the court's determination to ensure timely action in protecting the victim's dignity and privacy rights.

The order underscores the judiciary's evolving approach to digital crimes, particularly those targeting women through intimate imagery manipulation. Courts have increasingly recognized the psychological trauma and social consequences faced by victims of such abuse, leading to more stringent interim orders and expedited proceedings in these cases.