Gautam Gambhir, the head coach of the Indian cricket team and ex-Member of Parliament, has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court seeking urgent legal intervention against the alleged widespread misuse of his identity through artificial intelligence technologies, including deepfakes. This action comes in light of unauthorized commercial exploitation that has surfaced recently.

Details of the Legal Petition

The petition identifies numerous social media accounts, intermediaries, and e-commerce platforms as defendants involved in the unauthorized usage of Gambhir’s name and image. He is requesting a permanent injunction that would prevent these parties from utilizing or exploiting his persona without his explicit consent. Furthermore, Gambhir has filed for an immediate ex-parte ad-interim injunction aimed at removing all infringing content and stopping any further distribution of such material until a final decision is reached in the case.

Claims of Identity Misuse

In his legal action, Gambhir seeks damages amounting to ₹2.5 crore and requests a comprehensive accounting of any profits made through the alleged misuse of his identity. He asserts that there has been a significant rise since late 2025 in manipulated digital content created using artificial intelligence tools, which includes face-swapping and voice cloning technologies. These have been used to misrepresent him making statements he never issued, including a fabricated resignation and misleading comments regarding senior cricketers. Reports indicate that some of these misleading videos have accumulated hundreds of thousands of views, adversely affecting his public image.

Commercial Exploitation and Unauthorized Merchandise

Gambhir further alleges that his identity has been exploited for commercial gain, with unauthorized merchandise being sold on various e-commerce platforms without his consent or any licensing arrangement. This unauthorized usage adds to the extent of the issue he is facing, as it affects both his reputation and legal rights.

Legal Framework and Precedents Invoked

The legal petition has named 16 defendants, including certain social media accounts and operators of platforms, in the suit. It also mentions government authorities in a pro forma capacity to facilitate the enforcement of any directives issued by the court. The petition invokes provisions under several legal frameworks, including the Copyright Act, the Trade Marks Act, and the Commercial Courts Act, while also relying on previous judicial rulings that recognize personality and publicity rights as enforceable legal claims, especially against AI misuse.

Concerns Over Misinformation and Legal Protection

Emphasizing the gravity of the situation, Gambhir has articulated that his identity has been “weaponized” by anonymous users for the purpose of disseminating misinformation and generating revenue unfairly. He stressed that this matter goes beyond personal harm, highlighting broader concerns regarding dignity and legal safeguards in an era increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence technologies. The Delhi High Court is expected to address this matter shortly, focusing on the request for interim relief.

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