New Delhi: AI-generated videos targeting chief minister Rekha Gupta by portraying her in an “offensive” manner cannot be passed off as political satire, Delhi High Court has observed, holding that such content crosses the boundaries of permissible criticism and infringes upon an individual’s dignity.
But, in the garb of expression of disapproval of any such policy, the offensive portrayal of CM with the assistance of AI-generated videos, hurting her very dignity, can, by no stretch of imagination, be said to be in the realm of permissible political satire,” the court said. “Till the time publication of such content is not regulated appropriately by a stringent legislation, it becomes judicial duty upon receipt of grievance to examine whether the use of AI has reached the threshold of infringing upon an individual’s fundamental rights of dignity or not,” the court said. Finding that Gupta had established a prima facie case and that the balance of convenience favoured her, the court said the content’s rapid circulation on social media made urgent intervention necessary. “The plaintiff has been able to make out a prima facie case and balance of convenience is also in her favour, particularly keeping in mind the fact that these contents travel at a lightning speed, through social media platform,” it said.
“Any political party is entitled to criticise any govt policy or decision or administrative action. However, it emphasised the need for judicial scrutiny in the absence of stringent legislation regulating the publication of such content.