The Bombay High Court has ordered a lawyer to stop pretending to be famous singer Sonu Nigam on social media. The court said the lawyer must use his full real name on his X (formerly Twitter) account. This comes after the real Sonu Nigam complained that the fake posts were causing him problems.
Singer Sonu Nigam Takes Legal Action Against Fake Account
Sonu Nigam, a well-known playback singer in India, went to court because someone was using his name on X. The fake account belonged to a lawyer from Bihar named Sonu Nigam Singh. He was posting about politics and community issues, making people think it was the real Sonu Nigam.
The singer said these fake posts caused confusion and hate messages directed at him. Advocate Hiren Kamod, who represented the singer, showed the court 14 examples of posts that caused trouble. One post criticized a politician about Kannada language films, which made people angry at the singer.
“Because of Sonu Nigam Singh replying to the posts… Look at the hate Sonu Nigam is getting. Absolute chaos, My Lord. This is what the plaintiff is facing every day since August 2024,” said advocate Hiren Kamod in court.
The fake account had over 90,000 followers, including important people like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former minister Smriti Irani. The lawyer never told anyone he was not the real Sonu Nigam, even when people praised him for the singer’s work.
Court Orders Lawyer to Use His Full Name
Justice RI Chagla of the Bombay High Court gave an order to stop the lawyer from using just “Sonu Nigam” on X. The court said he must show his full name, Sonu Nigam Singh, so people know it’s not the singer.
The singer’s lawyer argued that even though Sonu Nigam has not trademarked his name, people know him well enough that his name should be protected. The court agreed and said the lawyer cannot mislead people by pretending to be the singer.
Sonu Nigam had left Twitter in 2017 after another singer’s account was suspended. He now only uses Instagram to connect with fans. The fake posts on X made people think he was back on the platform, causing more confusion.
Why This Case Matters
This case is important because it shows how fake social media accounts can harm real people. The fake posts made people angry at Sonu Nigam for things he never said. The court’s decision helps protect people’s names and reputations online.
The lawyer did not make money from the fake account, but he gained followers and attention by using the singer’s name. The court said this was wrong and ordered him to stop.
Other Legal Issues Faced by Sonu Nigam
Earlier this year, Sonu Nigam was in trouble for comments he made at a concert in Bengaluru. A fan demanded he sing a Kannada song, and the singer compared the fan’s behavior to a violent incident in Pahalgam. This upset many people, and a case was filed against him.
However, the Karnataka High Court later said no strict action would be taken if he cooperated with the investigation. Sonu Nigam apologized, saying,
“Sorry Karnataka. My love for you is bigger than my ego. Love you always.”
This shows how quickly social media and public reactions can affect celebrities. The Bombay High Court’s recent order helps prevent such problems by stopping fake accounts.
What Happens Next
The lawyer, Sonu Nigam Singh, must now follow the court’s order and use his full name on X. If he does not, he could face legal consequences. This case sets an example for others who might try to misuse someone else’s name online.
For Sonu Nigam, this legal win means less confusion and fewer hate messages. Fans can now be sure that posts under his name on Instagram are really from him, while any X account using just “Sonu Nigam” is fake.
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Credits: News reports from Times of India, Bar and Bench, The Telegraph, Mathrubhumi, and other sources.
