'My identity weaponised': Gautam Gambhir files ₹2.5 crore lawsuit over AI deepfakes
Indian Men's Cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir has filed a lawsuit in the Delhi High Court against the misuse of his digital identity, seeking ₹2.5 crore in damages.
Last Updated: 04.23 PM, Mar 19, 2026
Indian Men's Cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir has moved the Delhi High Court in a milestone legal battle against the "weaponisation" of his digital identity. Seeking ₹2.5 crore in damages, Gambhir’s lawsuit targets a cultivated campaign of AI-generated deepfakes, voice cloning, and unauthorised merchandise that has streamed across social media platforms since late 2025. The action marks a significant moment in Indian law, as a high-profile public figure seeks to draw a legal line against the misuse of artificial intelligence in the digital age.
The "coordinated campaign"
According to the suit filed in the Commercial Division of the Delhi High Court, Gambhir’s legal team alleges a "coordinated campaign" created to distribute misinformation and illicitly generate revenue. The complaint highlights several viral examples of digital impersonation that have deceived millions.
A fake video declaring Gambhir had resigned as head coach gathered over 2.9 million views.
Another AI-generated clip showing him making controversial remarks about a senior cricketer's World Cup participation attracted over 1.7 million views. The suit flagged the use of sophisticated AI to mimic Gambhir’s distinct voice to lend credibility to fake news.
"My identity—my name, my face, my voice—has been weaponised to spread misinformation," Gambhir said, stating the lawsuit as a critical step for legal safety in the era of AI.
Targeting tech giants and e-commerce
The lawsuit isn't restricted to unidentified creators. A total of 16 defendants have been named, including platform mediators such as Meta Platforms Inc. (Instagram/Facebook), X Corp., and Google LLC (YouTube).
Also, the suit flagged the unauthorised sale of merchandise, from apparel to memorabilia, using Gambhir’s endorsement on e-commerce giants like Amazon and Flipkart.
Government bodies, including the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), have also been curbed into the proceedings to guarantee a systemic takedown of the infringing content.
Legal implications
Gambhir is seeking a critical ex parte ad interim injunction to instantly remove all violating content and stop additional circulation. Beyond the monetary damages, the coach is pushing for a permanent injunction against the unauthorised use of his persona.
Legal experts suggest this case could set a massive precedent for "Personality Rights" in India.