Nitin Gadkari files Rs 11 crore defamation suit over E20 AI deepfake posts
Nitin Gadkari has moved the Bombay High Court seeking Rs 11 crore in damages over alleged violations of his personality rights through abusive social media
Nitin Gadkari has moved the Bombay High Court seeking Rs 11 crore in damages over alleged violations of his personality rights through abusive social media posts, AI-generated deepfakes and fabricated content that falsely link him and his family to the Centre's E20 ethanol-blending programme and alleged corruption. In an 86-page suit filed through advocate Sandeep Laddha, the Union minister said he has no role in formulating, administering or implementing the Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP) or the E20 initiative. The petition states that the programme falls under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), not the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, which Gadkari heads.
Read Full Story The suit traces the origins of the Ethanol Blending Programme to a 2003 Government of India policy, noting that it has gradually expanded to the current 20 percent ethanol blending target for the 2025-26 ethanol supply year. Gadkari argued that all policy decisions, implementation and regulatory oversight related to E20 are handled exclusively by MoPNG. The petition names Meta, which operates Facebook and Instagram, X, Google and YouTube, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the Department of Telecommunications and unidentified users described as Ashok Kumar/John Doe as defendants. According to the suit, several viral reels, memes, videos and fabricated quotes falsely portray Gadkari as the architect of the E20 policy and accuse him of benefiting financially through his family.
The minister contends these allegations are baseless and contradicted by official government records, amounting to defamation and documentary falsity. Gadkari has sought permanent and mandatory injunctions directing the removal of allegedly manipulated videos, AI-generated images, face-swap videos and deepfakes that use his name, face, voice and mannerisms without consent. He argues that such content violates his personality and publicity rights through the unauthorised digital appropriation of his identity. The petition states that while Gadkari does not seek to restrict fair criticism or public debate over government policy, the disputed content goes beyond legitimate political criticism or satire by using abusive language, fabricated visuals and false statements targeting his reputation.
The suit identifies 26 links containing the allegedly defamatory content and seeks their removal along with compensation of Rs 11 crore. The matter is scheduled to be heard before Justice Arif S. Doctor on Tuesday. Ends
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