The Bombay High Court on Monday permitted Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to institute a civil suit against Meta, X Corp, Google LLC, YouTube, and other entities over the circulation of allegedly defamatory and AI-generated deepfake content linking him to the Centre's ethanol-blended fuel policy.

According to court proceedings reported by Bar and Bench, Gadkari has alleged that several social media posts, videos, reels and AI-generated clips falsely claimed he was personally responsible for the government's E20 petrol policy and that he and members of his family had financially benefited from its implementation.

The minister has termed the allegations false, malicious and defamatory, asserting that they have caused serious damage to his public reputation and personal credibility.

Gadkari Seeks Removal of Alleged Deepfakes

In the proposed civil suit, Gadkari has sought permanent and mandatory injunctions directing the removal of content that allegedly uses abusive language, falsely attributes statements to him and circulates manipulated audio and video generated through artificial intelligence.

The petition states that the disputed material unlawfully simulates his name, image, likeness and voice without his consent.

According to the suit, the circulation of such content has caused "grave and irreparable" harm to his reputation, dignity, goodwill and public image while also violating his personality and publicity rights.

Case Targets AI-Manipulated Content

The legal action specifically focuses on content that Gadkari claims has been digitally altered or fabricated using artificial intelligence technologies.

The petition distinguishes between legitimate public criticism and defamatory misinformation, stating that the suit is not intended to suppress fair debate or criticism based on factual information.

Instead, it argues that the impugned content crosses the limits of protected free speech by spreading false allegations through manipulated media designed to mislead viewers.

Social Media Platforms Named as Defendants

The proposed suit names several major technology companies as defendants, including:

• Meta (Facebook and Instagram)

• X Corp

• Google LLC

• YouTube

• Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)

• Department of Telecommunications (DoT)

The petition also includes unidentified individuals responsible for creating and distributing the disputed content, who have been impleaded as "Ashok Kumars/John Does", allowing legal action against persons whose identities are currently unknown.

Growing Legal Focus on Deepfakes

The case adds to the growing legal scrutiny of AI-generated deepfakes in India, where courts and regulators are increasingly examining the misuse of artificial intelligence to impersonate public figures and spread misinformation.

Deepfake technology can generate highly realistic audio and video that appears authentic, making it difficult for viewers to distinguish fabricated content from genuine recordings.

The Bombay High Court's order permitting the suit allows Gadkari to formally pursue legal remedies seeking removal of the disputed material and appropriate relief against those allegedly responsible for creating, hosting or distributing it.