Nitin Gadkari Files Suit Against Meta and Others Over Deepfake Ethanol Claims

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has filed a civil suit in the Bombay High Court against Meta Platforms, X Corp, Google LLC, and unidentified individuals. The suit addresses social media posts and AI-generated deepfake content that allege Gadkari and his family benefited financially from the E20 ethanol blending program.

Key Highlights

• Nitin Gadkari files civil suit against Meta X Corp and Google over deepfake ethanol claims
• Bombay High Court allows suit addressing online content accessible in Mumbai and nationwide
• Petition seeks removal of manipulated videos and posts alleging financial gains from E20 program
• Ethanol policy managed by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas with no role for Gadkari
• ICRA forecasts CNG LNG and electric powertrains to gain market share as diesel declines

Legal Action and Court Proceedings

Justice Abhay Ahuja granted Gadkari permission to file the civil defamation suit under Clause XII of the Letters Patent. This clause covers jurisdiction for online content accessible in Mumbai and nationwide. The lawsuit claims that manipulated videos, images, and posts falsely link Gadkari and his family to profits from the national fuel initiative.

Gadkari's plea clarifies that the Ethanol Blended Petrol program and the E20 rollout are managed solely by the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. The petition states that Gadkari has no administrative role or official connection to the policy's implementation. Advocate Sandeep S. Ladda represents Gadkari in this matter.

Claims and Relief Sought

The petition targets unauthorized use of personality rights, abusive language, and fabricated media. It distinguishes these actions from genuine public debate or valid criticism of government policy. The suit seeks permanent and mandatory injunctions. It requests that digital platforms remove and block the disputed content, citing potential irreparable harm to public reputation.

Industry Context and Related Developments

Production of a new drivetrain system is set to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026. Rating agency ICRA projects that CNG, LNG, and electric powertrains will increase their market share as diesel usage declines. The company involved generates over 85% of its tooling business from the automotive sector, reflecting a trend toward greater localization by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).