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Hollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan seeks legal action in Delhi High Court against individuals misappropriating her identity and images in a fraudulent manner.

Unauthorized merchandise featuring the beauty queen and Bollywood star's likeness and name, including items like mugs, T-shirts, and drinkware, were shown by her legal representative.

Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan files a lawsuit at the Delhi High Court, alleging...
Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan files a lawsuit at the Delhi High Court, alleging unauthorized usage of her persona and visuals in a fraudulent manner.

The Delhi High Court, presided over by Justice Tejas Karia, has signalled its intent to issue injunctions to curb the unauthorized use of Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's name, photographs, and public persona.

In a case scheduled for further proceedings on January 15, 2026, Rai, represented by Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi, has accused several companies of misusing unauthorized and sexually explicit material involving her for commercial gain and inappropriate content.

Google, represented by Mamta Rani, has been involved in the case, discussing the procedural aspect of content removal, requiring specific URLs for takedown. The court observed that the plaintiff could provide specific URLs for takedown or approach the Blocking and Screening Instructions (BSI) process.

The misuse of Rai's likeness has been exploited for sexually explicit purposes, with numerous websites falsely presenting themselves as her official platforms, infringing on her publicity rights. Examples of merchandise bearing Rai's image and name without legal authorization were presented in court.

One such company, Aishwarya Nation Wealth, falsely listed Rai as its chairperson on official documents, despite having no legitimate affiliation with her. This act was described as fraudulent by Sethi.

Justice Karia suggested that individual injunctions might be necessary depending on the scope of the violations. The court will pass orders against each defendant individually, and if a common order is possible, it will be issued; otherwise, injunctions will be granted separately.

The companies accused in the case have not been publicly named in available records. The court has yet to issue any formal orders, but the proceedings indicate a strong stance towards protecting Rai's rights.

Rai's approach to the Delhi High Court underscores the importance of safeguarding personality rights, a crucial aspect of celebrity protection in the digital age. As the case progresses, it is expected to set a precedent for similar cases in the future.

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