The Delhi High Court has raised important legal questions in a case involving Aaradhya Bachchan, daughter of actors Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and granddaughter of Amitabh Bachchan. The court is examining whether the reputation attached to a famous family name can extend across generations and whether the circulation of fake news can amount to a violation of intellectual property rights.
The matter began after several YouTube channels allegedly circulated false and misleading claims about Aaradhya’s health and personal life. Some videos reportedly claimed that she was seriously ill and hospitalised, while one allegedly went as far as claiming that she had died. Other content accused her family of failing to arrange timely medical treatment.
Aaradhya approached the Delhi High Court through her father, Abhishek Bachchan, in 2023. The plea sought protection from allegedly defamatory content, invasion of privacy and the unauthorised use of the Bachchan family name and images. The case was filed against several YouTube channels and unidentified individuals who were described as “John Doe” defendants.
In April 2023, the court granted interim protection to Aaradhya and restrained several defendants from publishing, sharing or circulating material related to her health. The order also covered content that was identical or similar to the videos mentioned in the petition. The court had emphasised that every child deserves dignity, privacy and protection from harmful misinformation, regardless of whether the child belongs to a celebrity family.
During the latest proceedings, the court framed three broad questions for consideration. The first concerns whether a family name that carries a reputation comparable to that of a trademark can retain that reputation across generations. The court will also examine how far such protection may extend to descendants.
The second question is whether fake news, even when it is highly offensive or damaging, can constitute a violation of intellectual property rights. If the answer is yes, the court will need to determine which specific category of intellectual property protection may apply.
The third issue relates to the connection between defamation and intellectual property law. The court will consider whether legal concepts such as libel, slander or other forms of reputational injury can be treated as intellectual property violations.
The case has broader significance because it brings together questions of privacy, reputation, personality rights and online accountability. It also examines the legal limits of using a celebrity family’s name and images to generate attention or profit on digital platforms.
The proceedings may help clarify the relationship between personality rights and traditional intellectual property protections in India. They could also influence how courts deal with misleading online content involving minors and public figures.
The Delhi High Court is scheduled to hear the matter next on September 15. Until then, the interim protection against the circulation of health-related misinformation remains an important safeguard for Aaradhya Bachchan’s privacy and dignity.
