Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has initiated legal action against Meta Platforms, X Corp, and Google LLC, seeking the removal of allegedly defamatory AI-generated deepfake videos and manipulated digital content. These materials falsely associate him with the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme and the E20 initiative, both administered by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Gadkari has no role in these programmes and claims that the content has caused irreparable harm to his reputation.
The Bombay High Court has granted Gadkari permission to file a civil suit against the tech giants and other unknown individuals responsible for the alleged defamatory content. The suit seeks the immediate removal of the fake and fabricated posts and deepfake videos circulating online. Gadkari's lawyer argued that since the content is accessible in Maharashtra, a substantial part of the cause of action arises within the state's jurisdiction.
Gadkari's proposed suit asserts that the online posts and deepfakes wrongly portray him as the driving force behind the ethanol-blending programme and allege that he and his family benefited financially from it. The suit further states that the EBP programme and the E20 initiative fall exclusively under the jurisdiction of the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and not the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways headed by Gadkari.
The Bombay High Court is scheduled to hear the case on August 5, 2026. Gadkari's legal action highlights the growing concern over the misuse of AI-generated content and deepfakes, which can tarnish the reputations of public figures and spread misinformation. The outcome of this case could set a significant precedent for how such content is addressed legally in India.