The Delhi High Court has asked actor Amitabh Bachchan to remain personally present at the next hearing if the settlement in his personality rights suit remains incomplete and he wishes to pursue his claims in the matter.
Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav passed the direction on October 9 after the court was informed that an amicable settlement had been reached with some of the defendants through mediation, but the settlement agreement could not be formally signed due to logistical issues on Bachchan's side. The court granted time to complete the necessary formalities and place the formal settlement agreement on record, listing the matter for further hearing on November 16.
The court said that in the event of non-settlement or incomplete settlement, Bachchan would have to remain personally present on the next date of hearing if he wished to pursue any of the claims or issues in the suit. His personal presence would enable the court to exercise its powers under Order X Rule 2 read with Order V Rule 3 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, and Section 168 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023.
The 2022 suit
Bachchan filed the suit seeking a permanent injunction to protect his personality rights, alleging that several individuals and organisations were using his name, voice, image and celebrity status without permission to promote their products and services. On November 25, 2022, the High Court granted an ex-parte ad-interim injunction in his favour. During the proceedings, the parties explored an amicable resolution through mediation; according to the latest order, a settlement has been reached with some defendants, but the formal agreement is yet to be signed and placed before the court.
Bachchan was represented by advocates Dhruv Anand, Dhananjay Khanna and Bhavya Verma.
A wider trend
Bachchan was among the first celebrities to seek court protection for personality rights, and several others have since followed — including Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Karan Johar, Nagarjuna, Arijit Singh and Kumar Sanu. They have sought legal protection against the unauthorised use of their names, images, voices and other personal attributes, including through AI-generated content.
The order comes just as the actor turned 84 on October 11, with tributes pouring in from across the film industry on his birthday.
Sources:
Delhi High Court Directs Amitabh Bachchan To Appear In Person In Personality Rights Case — News18
Amitabh Bachchan personality rights case: Delhi High Court asks actor to appear in person if settlement remains incomplete — The Week
Delhi High Court Directs Amitabh Bachchan To Appear In Personality Rights Case If Settlement Fails — ABP News
Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav passed the direction on October 9 after the court was informed that an amicable settlement had been reached with some of the defendants through mediation, but the settlement agreement could not be formally signed due to logistical issues on Bachchan's side. The court granted time to complete the necessary formalities and place the formal settlement agreement on record, listing the matter for further hearing on November 16.
The court said that in the event of non-settlement or incomplete settlement, Bachchan would have to remain personally present on the next date of hearing if he wished to pursue any of the claims or issues in the suit. His personal presence would enable the court to exercise its powers under Order X Rule 2 read with Order V Rule 3 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, and Section 168 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023.
The 2022 suit
Bachchan filed the suit seeking a permanent injunction to protect his personality rights, alleging that several individuals and organisations were using his name, voice, image and celebrity status without permission to promote their products and services. On November 25, 2022, the High Court granted an ex-parte ad-interim injunction in his favour. During the proceedings, the parties explored an amicable resolution through mediation; according to the latest order, a settlement has been reached with some defendants, but the formal agreement is yet to be signed and placed before the court.
Bachchan was represented by advocates Dhruv Anand, Dhananjay Khanna and Bhavya Verma.
A wider trend
Bachchan was among the first celebrities to seek court protection for personality rights, and several others have since followed — including Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Karan Johar, Nagarjuna, Arijit Singh and Kumar Sanu. They have sought legal protection against the unauthorised use of their names, images, voices and other personal attributes, including through AI-generated content.
The order comes just as the actor turned 84 on October 11, with tributes pouring in from across the film industry on his birthday.
Sources:
Delhi High Court Directs Amitabh Bachchan To Appear In Person In Personality Rights Case — News18
Amitabh Bachchan personality rights case: Delhi High Court asks actor to appear in person if settlement remains incomplete — The Week
Delhi High Court Directs Amitabh Bachchan To Appear In Personality Rights Case If Settlement Fails — ABP News
