The Delhi High Court has directed Meta to remove morphed images of a woman featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi following reports of severe online harassment. The court also ordered police protection for the petitioner and issued notices to members of the Cockroach Janta Party. This case emphasizes the legal responsibilities of digital platforms in addressing the circulation of harmful content.
The Delhi High Court has intervened in a case involving the creation and distribution of morphed images, issuing a directive to Meta Platforms Inc. to immediately remove all such content. The legal action stems from reports that doctored photos showing a woman alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi were weaponized, with the petitioner alleging these images were used for targeted harassment during political protests associated with the Cockroach Janta Party.
Justice Girish Kathpalia has mandated that local law enforcement ensure the petitioner’s safety, specifically ordering that her residential address remain confidential and removed from public records. This judicial action highlights the legal obligations of digital intermediaries under Indian law. Under the Information Technology Act, social media platforms are required to act on reports of unlawful content, particularly when it violates personal privacy or is used for malicious harassment. The platform’s compliance in removing such material is a significant operational aspect for global tech companies in India.
The court has also issued formal notices to several individuals linked to the Cockroach Janta Party, including Saurav Das, Abhijit Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka, and Ratna Singh, directing them to file a response to the allegations within two weeks. A First Information Report (FIR) was registered by the Delhi Police on Thursday, marking the start of a formal criminal investigation. Police investigators are now tasked with submitting a status report within seven days that details the progress of the probe and the actions taken to curb the spread of the content.
To expedite the cleanup of the digital content, the court has instructed the petitioner to compile and provide authorities with all relevant links and files. These details are to be submitted to Meta through official channels to ensure the takedown process is handled correctly. To further prevent the dissemination of these materials, the court has ordered its own Registry to redact the controversial links from the official case file.
The case is set for a follow-up hearing in two weeks, at which point the court will assess the investigation's progress and the level of compliance from the tech platform. The situation highlights the broader challenges companies face regarding content moderation and the protection of individuals against the spread of non-consensual manipulated imagery in the digital age. Investors and stakeholders in the tech sector continue to track how these regulatory and judicial interventions influence platform operations and content governance policies.