On 11th July, 2025, the Bombay High Court passed an ex-parte order restraining lawyer Sonu Nigam Singh from impersonating singer Sonu Nigam on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Justice R.I. Chagla granted interim relief on a petition filed by the singer, alleging that Singh’s online activity violated his personality rights.
Sonu Nigam approached the Court after noticing that a user named Sonu Nigam Singh was posting provocative and communal content under the name “Sonu Nigam.” Singh, who identifies as a criminal lawyer from Bihar. He had been using this name without clarification, giving the impression that the content was being posted by the popular playback singer.
Appearing for the petitioner, advocate Hiren Kamod submitted that:
“Singh’s actions caused widespread confusion and resulted in serious backlash against the singer and his family.”
He pointed to fourteen specific posts made by Singh, many of which were communal or politically sensitive in nature.
One post directed at BJP MP Tejasvi Surya read:
“Don’t dub Kannada movies in Hindi! Don’t release Kannada movies pan-India! Do you have the guts to say this to Kannada film stars, Mr. @TejasviSurya, or are you just another language warrior?”
Kamod argued that such posts, coming from a handle named “Sonu Nigam,” misled the public into believing the views were those of the singer.
The Court was informed that Singh had amassed over 90,000 followers on the platform, many of whom included well-known public figures such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Union Minister Smriti Irani. Kamod argued that “the misrepresentation led to a barrage of online hate directed toward Sonu Nigam,” adding that Singh “actively accepted compliments and praise intended for the singer” without issuing any clarification.
Kamod emphasised that although no commercial gain was proven, Singh had benefited socially and reputationally. “This is what the plaintiff is facing every day since August 2024,” he told the Court, citing the continuing online chaos and distress caused to the singer and his family.
The Court was also told that the singer had quit Twitter in 2017, following the suspension of fellow singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya’s account, citing the biased nature of the platform. Despite not registering his name as a trademark, Kamod submitted that the name “Sonu Nigam” had acquired a unique identity and reputation that merited protection under established principles of personality and publicity rights.
Kamod also argued:
“The name may not be registered, but the recognition it carries makes it a distinctive identifier.”
He submitted that Singh’s use of the name constituted passing off and amounted to unlawful appropriation of personality.
Taking note of the arguments, the Bombay High Court directed Singh to display his full legal name, “Sonu Nigam Singh,” as the display name on his X account. The Court also restrained him from using the name “Sonu Nigam” in a manner that creates public confusion or misleads users into believing he is the singer.
The matter will be taken up next after the issuance of notice to the respondent.
Case Name: Sonu Nigam v Sonu Nigam Singh
Instagram: Click here
LinkedIn: Click here
For Collaboration and Business: info.desikaanoon@gmail.com
