NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Friday directed Meta Platforms to immediately remove objectionable social media content featuring a morphed picture of a woman alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after she alleged that the image was circulated by leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).The court also issued notices to CJP leaders Saurav Das, Abhijit Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka and Ratna Singh and directed the Delhi Police to provide complete protection to the woman, who told the court that she was receiving threats to her life.Justice Girish Kathpalia observed that the matter concerned not just the woman but also the Prime Minister of the country.
Here are the key developments from Friday’s hearing:
Court flags wider implicationsJustice Girish Kathpalia said the matter had implications beyond the woman who approached the court, noting that it also involved the Prime Minister of the country. The court further observed that if the Delhi Police was not sensitive to the issue, it would ensure that the police became sensitive to it.CJP leaders named in woman’s plaintThe high court issued notice to CJP leaders Saurav Das, Abhijit Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka and Ratna Singh over allegations that they circulated the woman’s morphed and explicit picture with PM Modi.According to the plea, the woman’s personal photograph was allegedly obtained without authorisation during CJP protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi and manipulated using AI face-swapping tools.Woman tells HC she fears for her lifeThe woman told the court that she had been receiving threats to her life following the circulation of the alleged deepfake images.Taking note of her apprehensions, the high court directed the Delhi Police to provide her with complete police protection.Plea alleges no concrete action despite FIRThe woman’s plea states that an FIR has already been registered in connection with the alleged circulation of the morphed images.However, she alleged that no concrete steps had been taken to apprehend those responsible or ensure the immediate removal or blocking of the viral links.HC to hear matter again on October 14The high court has listed the matter for further hearing on October 14, with the proceedings arising from the woman’s plea seeking removal and blocking of the allegedly fabricated deepfake images.The plea alleges that CJP leaders and their accomplices used AI face-swapping tools to superimpose her face onto a “highly vulgar, compromising image” alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
