Delhi High Court Orders Takedown of Unauthorised Images of Bhuvan Bam

The Delhi High Court has directed the removal of images of digital creator Bhuvan Bam that were uploaded and circulated online without his consent. The order applies not only to named defendants but also to John Doe parties (unnamed defendants), covering unknown individuals and platforms involved in the alleged misuse. Justice Jyoti Singh clarified that the court was granting limited, urgent relief by ordering takedowns of unauthorised content, without ruling on personality rights at this preliminary stage.

No Finding on Personality Rights Yet

The court made it clear that it would not record any prima facie finding on personality or publicity rights on the first date of hearing. Justice Singh observed that such rights require deeper examination and cannot be conclusively addressed at an interim stage.

This means the takedown order should not be read as either recognising or rejecting Bam’s personality rights claims at this point.

What Bhuvan Bam Alleged

Bam, one of India’s most followed digital creators with over 26.6 million YouTube subscribers, alleged that several entities had exploited his name, image, voice, likeness and persona without authorisation.

According to the plaint:

• His images were used for commercial activities, including merchandise sales and promotions
• The misuse created consumer confusion, suggesting false endorsements
• His brand value and reputation were harmed
• There was infringement of trademarks and copyrights jointly owned by Bam and BB Ki Vines

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Why the Court Acted Quickly

While holding back on personality rights, the court acknowledged the urgency of stopping unauthorised circulation of images online. Justice Singh directed that all offending links be taken down, including those run by unidentified parties, to prevent continued misuse.

The court emphasised that this interim relief was purely protective, aimed at preventing further harm until the case is examined in detail.

Part of a Larger Legal Pattern

This case fits into a growing body of litigation before the Delhi High Court where public figures seek protection from digital misuse. In earlier matters, interim relief has been granted to celebrities such as Pawan Kalyan and Amitabh Bachchan and family.

The court has also previously noted that individuals should first approach social media intermediaries under the IT Rules, 2021, as platforms often comply with valid takedown requests without the need for court intervention.

What This Means Going Forward

The order reinforces that courts are willing to act swiftly against unauthorised online exploitation, even while reserving final decisions on personality rights for a later stage. For creators and public figures, it underlines the importance of documenting misuse and seeking prompt relief to prevent reputational and commercial damage.