The Delhi High Court on Friday issued a John Doe order to protect the intellectual property rights of Sab TV’s show ‘Tarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’. The show’s producer Asit Kumar Modi confirmed the news and said that Neela Film Productions had filed a case against various social media accounts, websites and YouTube channels accusing them of exploiting their content and characters for personal gain.

The case was filed regarding illegal use of the show’s characters, animations, AI-generated images, deepfakes and even creating pornographic content using the show’s characters. It also complained about selling unauthorized merchandise on some platforms.

Modi, who has been running the show for 16 years, said in an official statement to the media: “This show has been a labour of love for everyone involved, and it is disappointing to see that our hard work is being exploited in this manner. We are grateful to the Delhi High Court for recognising the importance of protecting our intellectual property. This order sends a strong message that such violations will not be tolerated.”

He said the court order has given everyone associated with the show the confidence that their efforts will never go in vain and they will be recognised for generations to come. He further added, “As the creator of this show, I have always believed in the power of storytelling and the impact it can have on people’s lives. This order not only protects our creative efforts but also boosts the morale of everyone involved in the making of the show. It reassures us that our creativity will be respected and protected, allowing us to continue to delight our audiences without the fear of exploitation.”

The order also helps the makers to pursue their plans to expand the world of ‘TMKOC’ with animation, gaming and merchandise. The makers are looking at this as a landmark decision in the ongoing fight against digital piracy.

According to the order, Justice Mini Pushkarna observed that the show has established an iconic status for itself, and it is important to restrain not only known infringers but also extend liability to John Doe (unknown) defendants involved in illegal activities such as piracy and infringement of intellectual property.

‘Tarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashma’ is a popular comedy show starring Dilip Joshi as Jethalal. It also stars Munmun Dutta, Amit Bhatt, Shyam Pathak, Mandar Chandwadkar, Tanuj Mahashabde and Sonalika Joshi.