Bombay High Court Allows Nitin Gadkari to Sue Social Media Platforms Over E20 Claims

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) have also been made respondents in the case.

The order came after Gadkari approached the court, alleging that social media content, including posts, deepfake pictures, videos, and other material, falsely links him and his family to profits from the Centre's E20 ethanol-blended petrol programme.

In his plea, Gadkari contended that the campaign is false, malicious, and defamatory and is intended to mislead the public while tarnishing his image.

The petition further stated that the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme, including the E20 initiative, falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and not the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Gadkari argued that this makes the allegations factually incorrect.

Gadkari also asserted that he has no role in formulating, implementing, or administering the E20 policy, describing the allegations against him as baseless.

Through the civil suit, Gadkari has sought the immediate removal of AI-generated deepfake videos, edited clips, and related social media posts that, according to him, falsely associate him and his family with the E20 programme.

He has also sought directions against those responsible for creating, publishing, and circulating the allegedly defamatory content across digital platforms, along with an order restraining any further publication and circulation of such material.

The Bombay High Court has permitted Gadkari to institute the civil suit, while his plea seeking interim relief will be considered at the next stage of the proceedings.

The Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme is one of India's key energy initiatives aimed at improving energy security, supporting farmers, and reducing environmental impact through greater use of domestically produced renewable fuel. The proceedings mark the beginning of Gadkari's legal action over the alleged circulation of defamatory content related to the E20 initiative.