Cricketer Abhishek Sharma moves Delhi High Court for protection of personality rights

The rising star of Indian cricket seeks legal intervention against digital misinformation and manipulated content targeting his public image.

The digital courtroom is becoming as crowded as the cricket pitch for modern athletes. Cricketer Abhishek Sharma has become the latest public figure to move the Delhi High Court, seeking formal protection of his personality rights against the spread of defamatory and digitally altered content. The lawsuit, which aims to curb the unauthorized use of his likeness, underscores the growing tension between personal privacy and the viral nature of social media.

During the initial hearing, Justice Jyoti Singh expressed hesitation in granting immediate relief, noting a "real mess up" in the documentation provided. The court found that the screenshots annexed to the suit did not accurately match the URLs presented to the bench, leading to an adjournment until July 9. Justice Singh made it clear that she would not pass orders based on mismatched evidence, directing Sharma’s counsel to file a fresh affidavit that aligns the technical evidence with the legal claims.

The core of the dispute

At the heart of the matter is the misuse of technology to manipulate images. Counsel for Sharma argued that certain social media posts were not merely paparazzi snapshots, but instances of deliberate AI-generated manipulation designed to misrepresent his personal life. One specific grievance cited involves the misidentification of his manager as his romantic partner, a narrative supposedly bolstered by digitally altered imagery that paints the cricketer in a false light.

Legal representatives for Meta, the parent company of several social media platforms, informed the court that some of the specific URLs mentioned in the plea were already inaccessible. They further argued that some content originated from paparazzi—a category often treated differently in legal discourse—rather than malicious, tech-driven fabrication. The court is now tasked with drawing a line between the public interest in a famous athlete’s life and the individual’s right to prevent the systematic distortion of their identity.

The bigger picture: Why it matters

The move by Sharma highlights a broader trend: the "personality rights" litigation wave. Following similar legal battles initiated by Bollywood stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, and Abhishek Bachchan, the judiciary is increasingly being asked to define the limits of digital speech. As deepfakes and image manipulation become cheaper and more accessible, the legal system is struggling to keep pace.

For public figures, the stakes are rising. It is no longer just about controlling a brand or an endorsement; it is about reclaiming the narrative from algorithms that prioritize engagement over truth. The Delhi High Court’s challenge lies in balancing the fundamental right to reputation with the need to avoid stifling legitimate digital discourse. Until the court establishes clearer precedents, we are likely to see more athletes and actors queuing up in the corridors of power to seek relief from the digital distortions that define the modern era.