Bombay High Court to Hear Nitin Gadkari's Defamation Case Against Deepfake Content
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari is taking legal action against Meta, X Corp, and Google over defamatory deepfake posts related to the ethanol policy. The Bombay High Court will hear the case on August 5, where Gadkari seeks to remove false content that he claims has harmed his reputation. The lawsuit highlights the serious implications of misinformation and the need for accountability in online discourse. As the court prepares to address these allegations, the outcome could set a precedent for similar cases in the future.
Jul 28, 2026, 16:21 IST
Court Proceedings Scheduled for August 5
The Bombay High Court announced on Tuesday that it will hear a lawsuit filed by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari against Meta, X Corp, Google LLC, and unidentified individuals on August 5. This legal action pertains to allegedly defamatory deepfake and AI-generated posts related to the ethanol policy. In his civil suit, Gadkari is seeking the immediate removal of all false and fabricated content, along with a permanent injunction against its dissemination. He claims that these posts inaccurately portray him as personally responsible for the ethanol-blended fuel program and allege that he and his family have gained financially from it.
Allegations of Defamation and Misrepresentation
Justice Arif Doctor's bench instructed Gadkari's attorney, Sandeep Ladda, to serve the defendants with a copy of the lawsuit. The petition states that numerous fake, AI-generated, and defamatory posts regarding the ethanol-blended fuel issue are circulating online.
Impact on Reputation and Legal Arguments
According to the lawsuit, unidentified individuals have uploaded and disseminated posts and deepfake content that wrongfully associate Gadkari with the program, making accusations against him and his family. The petition asserts that this has caused irreparable harm to his reputation and personal rights. The allegations made in the online posts are described as "undoubtedly false, malicious, and grossly defamatory," with the intent to create a negative perception of Gadkari among the public. It further clarifies that the ethanol-blending program and E20 policy are managed by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, not by Gadkari personally. The petition argues that the intent was not to stifle fair public debate or legitimate commentary, but contends that the irresponsible and defamatory claims have crossed the boundaries of lawful expression. The court is set to hear this matter on August 5.