The Bombay High Court has ordered the removal of allegedly defamatory deepfake videos and AI-generated images that falsely connect Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to the government’s E20 fuel programme. The court’s direction came while hearing a civil suit filed by Gadkari, who claimed the fabricated content was damaging his reputation by spreading misleading information online.
Justice Abhay Ahuja granted permission for the minister to initiate legal proceedings against social media platforms, including Meta, X and Google, as well as unidentified individuals responsible for creating and circulating the manipulated material. The suit seeks an injunction against the continued dissemination of the content and its immediate removal from digital platforms.
In his petition, Gadkari argued that the viral posts falsely portrayed him and his family as having a personal or financial interest in the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme. He clarified that the E20 initiative is administered by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and that his Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has no role in implementing the scheme.
The petition further contends that advances in artificial intelligence have made it easier to generate convincing fake images and videos capable of misleading the public and tarnishing an individual’s reputation. Gadkari has sought damages along with permanent relief to prevent the future publication of similar content.
The case highlights the growing legal scrutiny surrounding AI-generated misinformation and deepfakes in India. As synthetic media becomes increasingly sophisticated, the judiciary is being called upon to define the responsibilities of digital platforms while safeguarding individuals from the harmful effects of fabricated online content.
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