Bombay High Court Orders Takedown Of 'Vile' Deepfake Content Against Nitin Gadkari Over E20

Published 5 August 2026 · india

News india Bombay High Court Orders Takedown Of 'Vile' Deepfake Content Against Nitin Gadkari Over E20 Bombay High Court Orders Takedown Of 'Vile' Deepfake Content

News india Bombay High Court Orders Takedown Of 'Vile' Deepfake Content Against Nitin Gadkari Over E20 Bombay High Court Orders Takedown Of 'Vile' Deepfake Content Against Nitin Gadkari Over E20 Published By, Last Updated: August 05, 2026, 12:21 IST The court directed social media platforms and intermediaries to take down the content identified by Nitin Gadkari, observing that the material was "absolutely vile". Union Minister Nitin Gadkari The Bombay High Court granted interim relief to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari in his defamation suit seeking the removal of allegedly AI-generated deepfake videos and abusive social media posts linking him and his family to the government’s E20 ethanol-blending programme. The court directed social media platforms and intermediaries, including Meta and Google, to take down the content identified by Nitin Gadkari, observing that the material was “absolutely vile" and had no place on public platforms.

“One such transcript appears on Instagram reel… The material which plaintiff seeks to pull down, I can only say that the same is absolutely vile abusive. Such material should have no place on public platform, which is accessible to everyone including young," the court said while granting ad-interim relief. The court also recorded the statements made by Meta and Google agreeing to remove the content listed in the suit. The matter has been posted for further hearing after four weeks. What Is The Case About? Nitin Gadkari filed the suit against Meta, X, Google/YouTube, the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the Department of Telecommunications, and unidentified users described as “Ashok Kumar/John Doe." He sought permanent and mandatory injunctions directing the removal of allegedly manipulated videos, images and other AI-generated deepfake content that, according to him, falsely linked him to the Centre’s E20 ethanol-blending programme.

According to the plea, the social media posts falsely attributed personal responsibility for the E20 programme to Nitin Gadkari and alleged that he and his family had financially benefited from the policy. The petition specifically referred to claims that his son, Nikhil Gadkari, runs CIAN Agro Industries & Infrastructure Limited, an ethanol manufacturing company, and that the family’s business interests allegedly benefited from the government’s ethanol blending initiative. Nitin Gadkari denied the allegations, contending that the content falsely suggested corruption, conflict of interest and abuse of public office. The suit also challenged posts blaming him for introducing or mandating E20 petrol and alleging that ethanol-blended fuel had caused damage to vehicles. The Union Minister clarified that the lawsuit was not intended to curb legitimate criticism of government policy or his public life. He argued that the impugned content contained fabricated visuals, false quotes and abusive language that went beyond fair political criticism or satire.