The petitioner had requested the court to form an expert panel, under the court’s supervision, to help draft a model law for handling such harmful online content.
New Delhi, May 16 — The Supreme Court of India has refused to hear a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that raised concerns about the circulation of artificial intelligence (AI)-generated deepfake videos of Colonel Sofiya Qureshi.
The petitioner had requested the court to form an expert panel, under the court’s supervision, to help draft a model law for handling such harmful online content.
A bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice N Kotiswar Singh heard the plea filed by petitioner-in-person Narendra Kumar Goswami, who argued that the issue was grave and required urgent legal attention.
While acknowledging the seriousness of the concern, the Supreme Court chose not to intervene, directing the petitioner instead to approach the Delhi High Court, which is already examining similar matters.
Goswami said he was deeply disturbed by the spread of such fake and malicious content targeting Colonel Qureshi.
He submitted that “numerous fake videos of the Army officer were being circulated online,” and urged the top court to take urgent steps to address the threat posed by such technology-driven misinformation.
He requested the setting up of a court-monitored expert committee to draft a model legal framework to tackle the growing challenge of deepfake content and online abuse, especially when it affects national security personnel and public figures.
The bench made it clear that it recognised the gravity of the issue. “We are not saying that it was not a serious issue,” said the judges.
However, they noted that a similar case has been under detailed hearing before the Delhi High Court for the past few years.
The judges explained their decision by saying that intervening at this stage could disrupt the work already done by the High Court on this subject.
“The Delhi High Court has been hearing this issue for a couple of years. If we entertain this petition, the high court will stop hearing the pending matter and all its hard work over the years will go in vain,” the bench added.
They also advised the petitioner to present his case before the High Court instead of seeking fresh intervention from the apex court.
“It will be appropriate, if you approach the Delhi High Court,” the Supreme Court bench suggested.
In a different case, on 15th May, The Supreme Court today strongly criticised Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah for his controversial remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi.
Chief Justice of India, BR Gavai, strongly criticised the remarks made by Minister Vijay Shah, calling them unacceptable and insensitive. He emphasised that those holding constitutional posts must be careful and responsible in their public statements.
Questioning Shah’s conduct, the Chief Justice remarked, “What sort of comments are you making? You should show some sense of sensibility. Go and apologise in High Court.”
Madhya Pradesh’s Tribal Welfare Minister Vijay Shah has filed a petition in the Supreme Court today, challenging a recent decision of the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The High Court had ordered the registration of an FIR against Shah for allegedly making objectionable remarks against Indian Army officer Colonel Sofia Qureshi.
Shah has requested the Supreme Court to hear his petition urgently.
