Delhi HC Orders Take Down Of Defamatory Posts Against Raghav Chadha With A 'Tolerate Humour' Advice

Published 1 July 2026 · local

Delhi HC Orders Take Down Of Defamatory Posts Against Raghav Chadha With A 'Tolerate Humour' Advice Published By, Last Updated: July 01, 2026, 16:50 IST

Delhi HC Orders Take Down Of Defamatory Posts Against Raghav Chadha With A 'Tolerate Humour' Advice Published By, Last Updated: July 01, 2026, 16:50 IST The HC said said that humor about change in political party alliances, governance or policies are a part and parcel of politics. Chadha, in his plea, had sought immediate removal and takedown of false, AI-generated and deepfake content circulating widely across social media platforms following his exit from the AAP. The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the removal of certain objectionable social media content targeting BJP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, but noted that politicians must tolerate political humour. Justice Subramonium Prasad said that humour about change in political party alliances, governance or policies is a “part and parcel" of politics and added that satirical criticism does not necessarily amount to defamation.

Chadha, who has exited the Aam Aadmi Party to join the BJP, earlier filed a lawsuit in the high court against the publication of alleged malicious and fabricated social media posts, that, he said, were gravely prejudicial to his reputation and personality rights. The court said Chadha’s suit does not prima facie involve personality rights issue. “I said no personality rights is involved. However, I have asked to take down (certain content)," Justice Subramonium Prasad said while pronouncing the interim order in the matter. “Rest all, the content is not defamatory prima facie," the judge added. The court had reserved verdict on the aspect of interim relief to take down the alleged offending content on May 21. Chadha, in his plea, had sought immediate removal and takedown of false, AI-generated and deepfake content circulating widely across social media platforms following his exit from the AAP.

While ordering removal of 6 out of 52 social media posts flagged by Chaddha, the HC said a “public figure should not be so thin-skinned" so as to complain about any criticism of his decisions and such criticism ought to be viewed with humility. The court said that it must balance dignity and free speech, but it does not endorse AI deepfakes that harm human dignity. Chadha’s lawsuit contended that artificial intelligence and deepfake technology were being used in an unauthorised manner to create and disseminate manipulated content, which was a serious infringement of Chadha’s legal and constitutional rights. Several public figures, like actors Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan and Salman Khan, have previously approached the high court seeking protection of their personality and publicity rights.The high court had granted them interim relief.