​​Bombay HC allows Nitin Gadkari to sue Meta, Google, X over alleged AI deepfakes on E20 fuel programme

The Bombay High Court has allowed Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari to institute a civil suit against Meta Platforms, Google LLC, X Corp and others over alleged AI-generated deepfake videos and manipulated online content linking him and his family to the Centre’s E20 fuel programme, according to media reports.

Justice Abhay Ahuja granted Gadkari leave to file the suit. The court will hear his plea for interim relief, including a temporary injunction and the removal of the disputed content, at a later stage, the reports said.

According to the petition, AI-generated videos, edited clips, photographs and social media posts falsely alleged that Gadkari and his family had financial interests in or benefitted from the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme and the rollout of E20 fuel. Gadkari has argued that the content is fabricated, defamatory and intended to mislead the public while causing damage to his reputation.

The petition states that the EBP Programme and the E20 initiative are administered solely by the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has no role in formulating, implementing or administering the policy. It argues that the allegations linking Gadkari to the programme are therefore factually incorrect.

The suit has been filed against Meta Platforms, Google LLC, X Corp, several unidentified entities and unknown persons. The Union Ministries of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and Telecommunications have also been named as respondents in the matter. Advocate Sandeep S. Ladda is appearing for Gadkari.

According to the petition, the minister is not seeking to restrict fair criticism or public debate. Instead, it contends that freedom of speech does not extend to the creation or circulation of fabricated, AI-generated or manipulated content that falsely attributes conduct, motives or financial interests to an individual.

The suit seeks directions for the removal of the allegedly defamatory content from online platforms and an injunction restraining the defendants and unidentified persons from creating, publishing or circulating similar material.

The legal action comes weeks after Gadkari publicly rejected allegations that he had personally benefitted from the government’s ethanol blending policy. He had said the claims were false and clarified that the businesses run by his sons have only a marginal presence in the sugar and ethanol sectors, while maintaining that he has no role in their management or in any government decisions relating to the EBP Programme or the rollout of E20 fuel.