Mumbai | July 27, 2026
In a significant legal development surrounding online AI misuse, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has secured permission from the Bombay High Court to launch a civil defamation suit against major digital service providers—including Meta, X, and Google.
The legal action stems from the viral dissemination of AI-generated deepfake videos and manipulated media alleging that the Minister and his family hold a direct financial interest in the Union Government’s E20 ethanol-blended petrol initiative.
Key Legal Parameters
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Complainant: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari
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Entities Named: Meta Platforms, X Corp, Google LLC, anonymous content creators, with MeitY and DoT named as respondents
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Judicial Forum: Bombay High Court
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Requested Relief: Directives for immediate removal of all deepfake assets, restraint orders against future circulation, and identification of original content creators
Departmental Distinction
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Factual Mandate: The petition explicitly highlights that the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) program falls under the direct jurisdiction of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, confirming that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways holds zero administrative or policy involvement in the scheme.
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Next Steps: With the High Court granting approval to institute the suit, arguments regarding interim relief and content takedown injunctions will be evaluated in upcoming hearings.
