The Delhi High Court has directed a sub-committee under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to submit its report on deepfakes by July 21.

A bench comprising Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela issued the directive while hearing multiple petitions calling for stricter regulations on deepfake technology and its potential misuse. The court also instructed the panel to consider suggestions from the petitioners while formulating its recommendations. “By the next date, we expect the committee to complete its deliberations and submit its report,” the bench stated. The next hearing is scheduled for July 21.

During the proceedings, MeitY’s counsel submitted a status report, informing the court that the committee had convened twice. The ministry had previously stated in a November 2024 hearing that it had formed a panel to study the issue. Seeking more time for discussions, MeitY requested three months to file a comprehensive report, which the court granted.

The case stems from multiple petitions, including one filed by journalist and India TV Editor-in-Chief Rajat Sharma, urging the court to regulate deepfake technology and block public access to apps facilitating synthetic content creation. Sharma’s plea warns that deepfakes pose serious risks to society, including the spread of misinformation and threats to democratic integrity.

Another petition was filed by lawyer Chaitanya Rohilla, advocating for restrictions on unregulated artificial intelligence (AI) usage. Additionally, model Kanchan Nagar has petitioned for a ban on deepfakes used for non-consensual commercial purposes and advertising, especially where original artists are not fairly compensated. With deepfake technology becoming an increasing concern, the court’s directive signals a significant step toward potential regulatory measures.