Bombay High Court Takes Action Against Defamatory Deepfake Content Targeting Nitin Gadkari

In a landmark decision, the Bombay High Court has mandated the removal of defamatory deepfake content that falsely implicated Union Minister Nitin Gadkari in the E20 ethanol blending program. The ruling came in response to a civil suit filed by Gadkari against major tech companies and unidentified content creators. The court's action highlights the growing concern over the misuse of AI and misinformation on social media platforms, emphasizing the need for accountability among platform operators. Gadkari is seeking damages for reputational harm caused by the false narratives circulating online. This case marks a significant step in addressing the challenges posed by deepfake technology and misinformation in the digital age.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 5, 2026, 14:02 IST

Court Orders Removal of False Content

Mumbai: In a pivotal ruling, the Bombay High Court has ordered the removal of defamatory content, including AI-generated deepfakes, that falsely implicated Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and his family in the Central government's E20 ethanol blending initiative.

This decision was made during the proceedings of a civil lawsuit filed by Gadkari against prominent tech and social media firms such as Meta, X, and Google/YouTube, as well as unidentified creators of the misleading content.

The lawsuit claims that various manipulated videos and misleading posts suggested that Gadkari and his relatives had profited from the government's ethanol fuel policy.

Gadkari asserted that these claims were entirely fabricated and malicious, intended to tarnish his reputation by spreading falsehoods.

He emphasized that the Ethanol Blending Programme, which includes the rollout of E20 ethanol-mixed petrol, is solely managed by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, with no ties to his ministry.

The petition highlighted that associating him or his family with the policy for personal gain is both factually incorrect and defamatory.

In his plea, Gadkari sought immediate judicial action for the removal of the objectionable content from all online platforms and demanded Rs 11 crore in damages for the reputational harm inflicted by the dissemination of these false narratives.

The lawsuit also pointed out the increasing threat posed by deepfake technology and misinformation on social media, arguing that platform operators must act swiftly against clearly false and defamatory content. This legal action aims to hold these platforms accountable while ensuring that legitimate public discourse and criticism are not hindered.

The High Court's ruling represents a crucial step in tackling the misuse of artificial intelligence and social media to propagate misinformation about public figures.