Delhi HC Grants Jubin Nautiyal Ex Parte Injunction Against AI Platforms, E-Commerce Sites for Personality Rights Violations [Read Order]

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has granted an ex parte ad interim injunction in favour of singer Jubin Nautiyal in a commercial suit filed to protect his personality and publicity rights against the alleged unauthorised use of his name, voice, likeness, and other distinctive attributes through artificial intelligence platforms and online marketplaces.

The order was passed by Justice Tushar Rao Gedela in CS (COMM) 166/2026, titled Jubin Nautiyal v. Jammable Limited & Ors. The Court was dealing with an application under Order XXXIX Rules 1 and 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure, seeking urgent interim protection.

Nautiyal approached the Court alleging that several defendants, including AI-driven platforms and e-commerce websites, were commercially exploiting his personality rights. The suit claims that sophisticated machine learning tools and generative AI technologies were being used to create audio and visual content mimicking his voice, vocal style, manner of singing, image, and other identifiable traits without authorisation.

The plaintiff asserted that the unauthorised activities included the creation of AI-generated voice models, digital avatars, face morphing, deepfakes, unauthorised chatbots, and merchandising bearing his name, photograph, caricature, and signature. It was further alleged that certain online marketplaces were advertising and offering for sale merchandise falsely suggesting association with or endorsement by the singer.

Detailing his credentials, Nautiyal placed on record his career trajectory, including participation in the television show X Factor and playback singing in multiple Hindi and regional films. He also highlighted his awards and recognitions, including IIFA Awards in 2022 and 2025, and his substantial social media presence with millions of followers. The plaintiff contended that his personality attributes possess significant commercial value and are exclusively identifiable with him.

After examining the plaint and documents, the Court held that a prima facie case was made out. It observed that considering the plaintiff’s well-known and widely accepted public persona, the balance of convenience lay in his favour. The Court further noted that failure to grant interim protection could result in irreparable injury to his reputation and image, which may not be adequately compensated monetarily.

Accordingly, the Court restrained several defendants, including AI platforms and unknown John Doe entities, from using or exploiting Nautiyal’s personality and publicity rights in any manner, including through artificial intelligence, generative AI, deepfakes, synthesised voices, digital avatars, GIFs, or other technological means for commercial or personal gain.

The Court also directed certain intermediary and e-commerce defendants to take down or block access to infringing content identified in an annexure to the order and to provide necessary details of entities operating such links or content. The injunction extends to restraining the manufacture, sale, advertising, or offering of goods exploiting the plaintiff’s persona.

The Court granted exemption from pre-institution mediation under Section 12A of the Commercial Courts Act in view of the urgent interim relief sought, relying on the Supreme Court’s decision in Yamini Manohar v. T.K.D. Keerthi. Exemption under Section 80 of the CPC was also granted in respect of government departments impleaded for the implementation of directions.

Summons have been issued in the suit. The matter is listed before the Joint Registrar on April 28, 2026, for completion of service and pleadings, and before the Court on August 25, 2026.

Case Details:

Case Title: Jubin Nautiyal v. Jammable Limited & Ors.

Court: High Court of Delhi

Case No.: CS (COMM) 166/2026

Date of Order: February 19, 2026

Coram: Justice Tushar Rao Gedela

Counsel for Plaintiff: Mr. Vivek Vidyarthi, Ms. Suvigya Vidyarthi, Ms. Sarvagya Vidyarthi, Mr. Nischay Chaudhary, Ms. Apoorva Singh, Ms. Rushali Rawat and Ms. Samriddhi Shukla, Advocates

Counsel for Defendants: Mr. Rohan Ahuja and Ms. Sugandha Chhibber for D-5 and 9; Mr. Akshay Maloo and Mr. Gyandendra Rathoor for D-15

[Read Order]