Full Breakdown
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari Secures High Court Permission to Sue Tech Giants Over Alleged Deepfake Defamation
7/27/2026, 8:29:45 PM
Core Legal Development
On July 27, 2026, Justice Abhay Ahuja of the Bombay High Court granted Union Minister Nitin Gadkari leave to file a civil defamation suit against Meta Platforms, X Corp, Google LLC and several unidentified parties. The permission was sought under Clause XII of the Letters Patent, which allows the court to entertain a suit when part of the cause of action arises outside its territorial jurisdiction. The order clears the procedural hurdle for Gadkari to pursue substantive relief, including the removal of the contested material and damages of INR11 crore.
Background of the E20 Ethanol-Blending Programme
The Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP) was launched by the Central Government in 2003 as a phased effort to mix ethanol with petrol. During the 2025-2026 period, the programme achieved a 20 percent blend (E20), a target administered by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Gadkari has served as Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways since 2014 and has repeatedly stated that his ministry does not decide EBP policy or implementation.
Alleged Defamatory Content
The petition identifies at least 24 social-media posts, reels and videos that allegedly portray Gadkari and his family as personally benefiting from the E20 programme. The content, described as AI-generated deepfakes, falsely links him to the policy’s rollout and accuses him of corruption, nepotism and misuse of office. Because the creators are unknown, the suit names them as “John Doe” or “Ashok Kumars.”
A separate criminal First Information Report (FIR) filed in Nagpur on July 3, 2026 named four influencers—YouTuber-politician Manish Kasyap, the Instagram account Desi Boys, and accounts Harshit Rathi and Anklesh Inwati—accused of spreading the same misinformation.
Data & Statistics
- 24 alleged defamatory posts identified.
- INR11 crore sought in damages.
- 20 percent ethanol blend (E20) achieved in 2025-2026.
- EBP introduced in 2003.
Official Statements & Responses
Gadkari’s petition emphasizes that the suit is not intended to suppress legitimate debate or criticism of government policy. The petition requests permanent injunctions to remove the content from the internet and restraining orders to prevent further dissemination.
Justice Ahuja’s order authorizes the filing of the substantive suit and notes that a detailed judgment will be issued later. The petition also indicates that Gadkari may approach the Supreme Court for further relief.
Why It Matters
The case tests the extent to which Indian courts can hold major digital platforms civilly liable for hosting AI-generated defamation. India’s Information Technology Act provides safe-harbour protection to intermediaries, but that protection is contingent on timely action against unlawful content. A successful injunction could set a precedent for faster takedown of deepfake material and influence future regulatory approaches to AI-driven misinformation.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- The court’s detailed order has not been released, leaving the precise legal reasoning and any conditions for interim relief unclear.
What’s Next
The substantive civil suit is expected to be listed before Justice Arif Doctor. The next hearing will likely address interim relief, including possible injunctions for immediate removal of the deepfake videos and posts. Further developments may arise from any Supreme Court intervention Gadkari pursues.
