Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has initiated legal proceedings in the Bombay High Court against tech giants Meta, X (formerly Twitter), and Google, seeking the removal of defamatory content and AI-generated deepfakes. These posts allegedly link him and his family to the Indian government’s E20 ethanol-blending program, accusing them of corruption.
Gadkari has faced criticism for the roll-out of E20 fuel in India, which involves a blend of 20% ethanol with 80% petrol. This initiative is part of the Indian government’s broader strategy to cut down on crude oil imports, reduce emissions, and support biofuels produced domestically. However, some concerns have been raised about the compatibility of older vehicles with E20 fuel, citing potential issues like fuel system corrosion and decreased fuel efficiency.
Despite the introduction of E20-compatible vehicles, questions persist regarding the suitability of vehicles sold before 2023. A recent decision by a district consumer disputes redressal commission in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, ordered Maruti Suzuki to provide a new Grand Vitara car with an E20-compatible engine to a customer whose vehicle reportedly malfunctioned due to E20 fuel.
Nitin Gadkari’s Legal Stand
Gadkari’s lawsuit asserts that he played no part in developing or executing the E20 program, which is under the purview of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG). He argues that the circulating content has shifted from political critique to targeted defamation.
Details of the Legal Action
Gadkari’s civil suit names Meta, X, Google/YouTube, the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the Department of Telecommunications, and several unidentified users as defendants. These anonymous entities, categorized as “Ashok Kumar/John Doe,” are addressed through a John Doe order, which serves as a broad cease and desist injunction against unknown parties.
More Read
The lawsuit seeks permanent and mandatory injunctions to remove what Gadkari describes as AI-manipulated defamatory and deepfake content, which falsely implicates him in the E20 program and tarnishes his reputation.
Clarifications and Denials
Gadkari emphasizes that he has no affiliation with the Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP) or the E20 initiative. The EBP, introduced in 2003, was designed to decrease India’s reliance on imported crude oil and promote renewable energy sources. Gadkari maintains that the policy’s implementation has always been managed by MoPNG, not the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, which he oversees.
One of the significant allegations against Gadkari is that his son has benefited from the E20 program through CIAN Agro Industries & Infrastructure Limited, a company involved in ethanol production. Gadkari has dismissed these claims, asserting they are contradicted by official records indicating MoPNG’s sole responsibility for the EBP.
More Read
Defamation and Personality Rights
Gadkari’s plea clarifies that he does not intend to stifle fair and legitimate policy criticism. However, he argues that the abusive language and fabricated visuals in the content in question exceed the bounds of acceptable political satire.
The suit highlights 26 links to face-swap videos, AI-generated images, and cartoons using Gadkari’s likeness without permission, which he claims infringe on his personality and publicity rights. The lawsuit demands damages amounting to ₹11 crores from the defendants. Justice Arif Doctor is set to hear the case.
