GUWAHATI: The Bombay High Court on Wednesday, August 5, directed social media platforms, including Meta and Google LLC, to remove allegedly defamatory AI-generated deepfake videos and manipulated digital content targeting Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari in connection with the Centre's ethanol-blended fuel programme.
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Hearing Gadkari's defamation suit, the court reportedly observed that the content in question was "absolutely abusive and vile fuelling venom" and ordered the platforms to take down the material identified by the Minister in his interim application.
The court further directed that any recirculated versions of the flagged content should also be removed. It added that if similar abusive deepfake content targeting Gadkari surfaces in the future, he may notify the intermediary platforms, which will be required to take appropriate action. The court clarified that if any disputed content falls into a grey area, the concerned parties are free to approach the court for further relief.
In his 86-page suit, filed through advocate Sandeep Laddha, Gadkari has sought ₹11 crore in damages over alleged violations of his personality rights through AI-generated deepfakes, manipulated videos, fabricated quotes and abusive social media posts.
The suit names Meta (Facebook and Instagram), X, Google, YouTube, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the Department of Telecommunications, and unidentified users described as Ashok Kumar/John Doe as defendants.
According to the petition, the manipulated content falsely links Gadkari and his family to the Centre's E20 Ethanol Blending Programme and alleges corruption. Gadkari has argued that these claims are baseless and contrary to official government records.
The petition states that Gadkari has no role in formulating, administering or implementing the Ethanol Blending Programme, noting that it falls under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, not the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
During the hearing, Meta argued that some of the material constituted fair criticism. However, Gadkari's counsel clarified that the petition was not seeking the removal of legitimate criticism but only defamatory, manipulated and AI-generated content- a position the High Court endorsed.
Gadkari has also sought permanent and mandatory injunctions directing the removal of AI-generated images, face-swap videos, deepfakes and manipulated content allegedly using his name, face, voice and mannerisms without consent, arguing that such material violates his personality and publicity rights.