Delhi High Court Stops Coaching Institute From Using CLAT Topper’s Identity in Online Rivalry Battle

The Delhi High Court has restrained coaching institute Law Prep Tutorial and its affiliates from using the identity, photographs, or AI-generated images of CLAT 2026 topper Geetali Gupta in an ongoing dispute with rival coaching platform LegalEdge. The Court also ordered the removal of allegedly defamatory online content within 72 hours.

Justice Tushar Rao Gedela observed that the material placed before the Court prima facie indicated a coordinated attempt to damage the reputation and goodwill of the plaintiffs. The Court restrained the defendants from publishing disparaging posts, videos, blogs, reels, and AI-generated content targeting LegalEdge and the student topper.

The dispute arose after the declaration of CLAT 2026 results. According to the plaintiffs, Geetali Gupta had primarily studied with LegalEdge, while Law Prep Tutorial allegedly tried to claim credit for her success through promotional campaigns and social media content.

The plaintiffs further alleged that after refusing an exclusive promotional arrangement, defamatory content and morphed visuals portraying wrongdoing were circulated online.

The Court noted that professional rivalry between coaching institutions cannot justify attempts to tarnish a competitor’s image. It also remarked that the student appeared to have been unnecessarily dragged into the conflict. However, the Court clarified that the protection granted was not based on broad “personality rights,” stating that a single academic achievement alone does not automatically create such rights.

The matter will next be heard in August 2026.