Nitin Gadkari Gets Bombay HC Nod to Sue Meta, Google Over Defamatory E20 Posts
Mumbai, 27th July 2026: The Bombay High Court on Monday allowed Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari to file a civil suit against Meta, Google, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, and other unidentified persons over the circulation of alleged defamatory posts and AI-generated deepfake content linking him and his family to financial gains from the Centre’s E20 ethanol-blended fuel programme.
The order was passed by Justice Abhay Ahuja, who granted Gadkari permission to institute the civil suit and seek interim relief, including the removal of the allegedly defamatory content from online platforms. The court’s order enables the minister to formally pursue legal remedies against the entities allegedly involved in hosting or circulating the content.
In his plea, Gadkari alleged that several social media posts, videos, reels, and AI-generated deepfake clips falsely claimed that he was personally responsible for the government’s E20 petrol policy and that he and members of his family had profited from its implementation. He argued that these claims were false, malicious, and defamatory.
The petition also stated that the E20 ethanol-blended fuel programme is administered by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and not by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Gadkari contended that the content circulating online wrongly attributed the policy and its alleged financial benefits to him and his family.
According to court proceedings, the minister has sought permanent injunctions restraining the circulation of the disputed content and directions for its removal from social media platforms and the internet. The petition also names unidentified individuals alleged to have created or circulated the material.
The High Court’s order only grants permission for the suit to be filed. The merits of Gadkari’s allegations and the reliefs sought will be examined during the course of the civil proceedings.
