Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has initiated an ₹11 crore defamation lawsuit in the Bombay High Court, targeting tech giants Meta, X (formerly Twitter), Google/YouTube, and government ministries, along with unnamed individuals. The extensive 86-page suit addresses a series of online posts, reels, and AI-generated deepfakes that Gadkari claims falsely implicate him and his family in the Centre’s E20 ethanol-blending program and associated corruption allegations.
Gadkari Denies E20 Policy Involvement
According to the suit, the online content incorrectly blames Gadkari personally for introducing or mandating E20 petrol and for alleged vehicle damage caused by ethanol blends. It further suggests that his family has derived undue financial benefits from the E20 initiative, implying corruption and abuse of office.
Gadkari, represented by advocate Sandeep Laddha, asserts that he holds no role or connection with the Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP) or the E20 initiative, whether in a ministerial, executive, statutory, regulatory, or financial capacity. He emphasizes that the EBP and E20 policies are conceived, formulated, administered, and implemented solely by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, not by his Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Targeting Deepfakes and Online Abuse
The lawsuit seeks permanent and mandatory injunctions for the immediate takedown of the allegedly manipulated videos, AI-generated defamatory content, and deepfakes. Gadkari's legal team points to 26 specific links featuring face-swap videos, AI-generated images, and cartoons that exploit his name, face, voice, and mannerisms without consent. The suit argues these actions constitute unauthorized commercial and digital appropriation of his identity, infringing upon his personality and publicity rights.
While Gadkari maintains he does not intend to curb fair or bona fide criticism of policy or his public life, he contends that much of the challenged content crosses the line into profane and abusive language, fabricated quotes, and visuals. He argues these elements fall outside the scope of legitimate political criticism or satire.
Defendants and Legal Claims
The defendants named in the suit include Meta (owners of Facebook and Instagram), X, Google/YouTube, the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), and unnamed users identified as Ashok Kumar/John Doe. The case primarily centers on Gadkari's denial of any direct role in the E20 policy and seeks not only the removal of defamatory content but also ₹11 crores in damages from the involved parties. The matter is scheduled to be heard by Justice Arif S Doctor.