Delhi High Court Orders Google to Remove AI-Generated Deepfake Content of Sadhguru
The Delhi High Court ordered Google to use its technology to remove AI-generated deepfakes and misleading advertisements featuring Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev on YouTube, following the company's failure to comply with a previous ruling. The fake content had reportedly been used in investment scams that defrauded consumers.
What happened
On October 14, 2025, the Delhi High Court directed Google to use its technology to stop fake advertisements on YouTube featuring AI-generated images and deepfake videos of Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev.
Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora ordered Google to immediately halt ads depicting Sadhguru's arrest and asked Google and Isha Foundation representatives to meet and work out a lasting solution. The court noted that Google's own policies prohibit clickbait ads surrounding negative life events like arrests or deaths, and that under India's intermediary rules, the platform is required to proactively identify and block previously removed infringing content.
Reported impact
Despite a May 2025 Delhi High Court ruling that granted protection to Sadhguru's personality rights and directed Google to suspend or take down fake and misleading content, deceptive ads have reportedly continued to appear on YouTube, misleading viewers and enabling online scams.
In an earlier case, a 57-year-old retired woman in Bengaluru lost Rs 3.75 crore to scammers who used an AI-generated deepfake video of Sadhguru to promote fake investment opportunities.
Index analysis
The court pointed out that Google had failed to comply with its own policies and India's intermediary guidelines despite a prior ruling in May 2025. Google's counsel stated it was willing to take a collaborative approach and would actively cooperate in taking down any further links pointed out to them.
Governance controls
The court directed Google to either remove the content immediately or file an affidavit detailing any technological limitations or reservations preventing compliance with the order.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.