New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued an interim order directing the removal of specific online URLs that infringe upon the personality rights of former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh. Presiding over the matter, Justice Jyoti Singh instructed the individuals responsible for uploading the disputed content to delete the flagged links within a stipulated timeframe. The court further held that if the creators fail to comply, Singh is entitled to approach the respective social media platforms and digital intermediaries directly to enforce the takedown.
However, the court declined to issue a blanket omnibus injunction covering future content, clarifying that any subsequent alleged violations must be evaluated on an individual basis. Rejecting the plea for a broader preventative order, the Bench observed that digital intermediaries cannot be tasked with adjudicating whether future material is similar or identical to previously flagged content. The court noted that such assessments require formal judicial evaluation and cannot be delegated to online platforms.
Representing the former cricketer, Advocate Gaurav Bahl argued that several private entities were commercially exploiting Singh’s name, image, and likeness by selling unauthorized merchandise. The plea highlighted that infringing material remained accessible across major platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Flipkart, and Amazon. The court also addressed submissions regarding a Reddit thread discussing Singh, though it deferred consideration on that specific matter until complete transcripts and formal pleadings are placed on record.
In bringing the suit, Singh referenced previous legal precedents set by the Delhi High Court that safeguarded the personality and publicity rights of prominent cricket figures, including Gautam Gambhir, Sunil Gavaskar, and Abhishek Sharma. The court has granted the named intermediaries three weeks to submit their written responses, scheduling the matter for further hearing on November 13.
