To prevent such issues, former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar has taken a significant step by approaching the Delhi High Court to protect his personality rights, becoming the first Indian cricketer to do so.
A Bold Move to Protect Privacy
Gavaskar’s petition seeks to prevent various individuals and organizations from using his image or identity without his permission. The matter is scheduled for a hearing on December 12 before Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora.
“Cricketers in India are revered, but that reverence can sometimes be misused,” experts note. By moving to the higher authority, Gavaskar aims to safeguard his privacy, dignity, and control over his personal image in an era of rampant digital misuse.
Joining Bollywood Stars in the Fight for Personality Rights
Gavaskar’s move follows similar steps taken by Bollywood celebrities, including Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, and Anil Kapoor, whose personality rights were secured by the Delhi High Court. Podcaster Raj Shamani has also successfully obtained such rights.
The Delhi High Court has consistently ruled that stars hold control over the commercial use of their image or persona, an increasingly vital protection in the digital age. With this step, Sunil Gavaskar joins the ranks of prominent personalities asserting their rights, setting a precedent for Indian cricketers.
