Spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court, raising concern over the unauthorised use of his name and image by websites allegedly using artificial intelligence to promote products without his consent.
Appearing before Justice Saurabh Benarjee, Sadhguru’s legal team argued that his identity was being misused to falsely endorse items and mislead the public. The petition calls for immediate takedown orders against such content and stricter regulation of digital platforms enabling these actions.
“People Are Blindly Trusting These Offerings”
During the hearing, Sadhguru cited specific instances of how his reputation is being exploited by entities leveraging AI. “My name is being exploited to sell products—one such example is the book Garbh Yatra (on pregnancy), which features my image on its cover,” he said. “People are blindly trusting these offerings because of my reputation, making this a clear case of fraud. These entities are leveraging AI to deceive the public.”
His plea highlights a growing issue faced by public figures—unauthorised use of their persona, including AI-generated content, to endorse or promote services and products they have no connection with.
Google Says Specific URLs Must Be Flagged
Representatives for Google, one of the respondents, argued that the company could only act once specific URLs were reported. The tech giant maintained that its role as an intermediary limits its liability unless precise links are brought to its notice. “Affected parties must report specific URLs to intermediaries before any action can be taken,” the counsel said.
Court To Issue Interim Order
After a brief round of arguments, the Delhi High Court reserved its decision, stating that an interim order would be passed shortly. The case is expected to touch on important legal questions around AI-generated content, intermediary responsibilities, and the protection of individual rights in the digital space.
This isn’t the first time the court has intervened in matters involving the spiritual leader. In March 2025, the Delhi High Court ordered the removal of videos posted by a YouTuber targeting the Isha Foundation. The court, in that ruling, emphasized that an individual’s reputation forms a vital part of their dignity and must be protected, even while upholding freedom of expression.
A Wider Impact
The outcome of this petition could have implications beyond Sadhguru, potentially influencing how courts handle AI-driven misuse of personal identities. As digital manipulation becomes easier, legal safeguards around reputation and image rights are becoming increasingly critical in the digital age.
Read More: Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, States High Court, International