HC orders Meta to remove morphed PM pic

The Delhi High Court instructed social media giant Meta to promptly eliminate objectionable content featuring a manipulated image depicting an individual alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and summoned the leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in connection with a lawsuit claiming they disseminated the image. According to the court, the issue extends beyond the woman involved, encompassing the prime minister, and emphasized the necessity for sensitivity in law enforcement's approach.

The matter, heard by a bench consisting of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia, was brought forward following the petitioner's urgent request for listing. The petitioner's counsel, Umesh Sharma, informed the court that an FIR has been filed regarding the alleged dissemination of the image, yet no significant steps have been taken to locate those responsible or ensure the immediate removal or blockade of the viral links.

The petition alleged that the images were produced using AI-based face-swapping tools and disseminated during recent protests organized by the CJP at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. The complaint names CJP leaders Saurav Das, Abhijit Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka, and Ratna Singh as respondents, alleging their involvement in the creation and circulation of fabricated, vulgar images combining the woman's face with Prime Minister Modi's.