Politics
Patna High Court Directs Removal Of AI Video Featuring PM Modi, His Mother
PM Modi with his mother Hiraben (File Photo)
The Patna High Court on Wednesday (17 September) directed the immediate removal of a 36-second AI-generated video showing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his late mother Heeraben Modi, Indian Express reported.
The video, posted by the Bihar Congress from all social media platforms, was flagged for violating privacy and dignity rights.
The interim order was passed by Acting Chief Justice P B Bajanthri and Justice Alok Kumar Sinha while hearing a PIL filed by Vivekanand Singh on 15 September.
The court instructed Meta, Google India, and X India to stop circulation of the video.
“To avoid further damages, if any, respondents 6-8 are hereby directed not to circulate the subject video clipping from here afterwards until further orders to be passed by this Court,” the Bench ordered, referencing the social media platforms as respondents in the case.
Uploaded on 10 September and labeled as AI-generated, the video showed PM Modi dreaming of his late mother, who was portrayed as criticising his political stance in election-bound Bihar.
According to the PIL, the video contained defamatory remarks directly aimed at the Prime Minister.
Filed through advocate Praveen Kumar, the petition sought immediate removal of the video from all platforms and a declaration that it amounted to corrupt practice under Section 123(4) of the Representation of People Act, 1951.
This, the PIL argued, worsened the alleged defamatory effect.
The petitioner further called the video “malicious propaganda,” alleging that its circulation during the election season could undermine free and fair polls, which form part of the Constitution’s basic structure.
The court’s decision relied on established Supreme Court precedents, recognising privacy and dignity as fundamental rights under the Constitution.
Notices were also issued to the Union and Bihar governments, the Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee, the Election Commission of India, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, asking them to file responses within the set time.
The video had been uploaded days after a person used abusive language towards the PM and his mother during a Congress rally in Darbhanga.
BJP and NDA allies condemned the video, and accused the Congress of resorting to “shameful” tactics to target Modi ahead of the polls scheduled later this year.
