E20 Petrol Deepfakes: Bombay High Court Orders Immediate Takedown of 'Per Se Defamatory' AI Content Targeting Nitin Gadkari
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
In an important decision targeting artificial intelligence misuse, the Bombay High Court on Wednesday, 5 August, ordered social media platforms to immediately pull down all deepfake videos and manipulated content linking Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to India's controversial Ethanol-blended petrol policy.
A single-judge bench presided over by Justice Arif Doctor issued the interim takedown directives after declaring the content highlighted in Gadkari’s lawsuit to be "per se defamatory." In a sweeping order aimed at curbing persistent digital disinformation, the bench also directed social media intermediaries to promptly remove any additional URLs or deepfake material that the minister brings to their attention in the future.
Tech Giants Directed to Scrub Manipulated Media
The court passed the interim order in a civil defamation suit filed by the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, seeking ₹11 crore in damages against tech platforms Meta Platforms Inc., Google LLC, and X Corp. The lawsuit specifically targeted 26 URLs carrying manipulated audio-visual clips, synthetic voice clones, and morphed video content circulating across digital channels.
Taking serious note of how deepfake technology was deployed to impersonate a public official, Justice Doctor observed that the content bypassed standard commentary or political critique and crossed into outright defamation, leaving no doubt that immediate judicial intervention was warranted to prevent ongoing harm to Gadkari’s reputation.
The Ethanol Controversy and Conflict Claims
The viral videos falsely claimed that Gadkari had unilaterally implemented the E20 fuel policy—which mandates a 20 per cent ethanol blend with 80 per cent petrol—to enrich himself and his family through private ethanol manufacturing ventures. The posts further alleged that the blended fuel was causing severe engine damage and escalating repair costs for vehicle owners nationwide.
Refuting the allegations, Gadkari’s legal team presented documentary evidence demonstrating that the Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP) falls entirely under the official mandate of the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, an administrative body Gadkari does not lead or oversee. Furthermore, the petition clarified that Gadkari’s family-owned sugar manufacturing operations account for less than 0.5 per cent of the national ethanol production market, a business footprint established decades prior to the government's biofuel policy launch.
Broader Dynamic Injunction Against Future Content
Beyond requiring the immediate deletion of the flagged links, the High Court extended a dynamic injunction mechanism to protect Gadkari’s personality and publicity rights. Under this framework, should similar AI-generated deepfakes or altered media reappear on Meta, Google, or X, Gadkari can notify the platforms directly to secure rapid removal without needing to file fresh legal proceedings for each instance.
The court reiterated that the injunction does not restrict genuine debate, constructive criticism, or public opinion regarding the central government's E20 fuel policy. However, the judge drew a clear line between legitimate policy discussion and synthetic manipulation designed to mislead citizens and defame individuals.
