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Bombay High Court Defers Hearing in Nitin Gadkari’s AI Deepfake Suit Against X, Meta, Google

A lawsuit over fabricated content highlights mounting concerns over AI-powered deepfakes and manipulated digital content, as synthetic media increasingly fuels misinformation, identity misuse and reputational harm affecting organizations, institutions and public figures.
A split image showing the Bombay High Court building on the left and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on the right.
July 29, 2026 09:35 AM IST | Written by Supriya Singh | Edited by Pratima O Pareek

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday adjourned until August 5 the hearing in a defamation suit filed by India’s Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, seeking to take down alleged AI-generated and deepfake content linking him and his family to the E20 (Ethanol Blended Petrol) programme and alleged corruption surrounding it.

The E20 fuel transition has been at the centre of public debate and drawn growing backlash in recent weeks.

Gadkari has sought ₹11 crore in damages, alleging that the viral social media posts have harmed his reputation. The matter, filed through advocate Sandeep S. Ladda, came up before Justice Arif Doctor.

During the hearing, counsel for Google informed the court that the company had not yet been served with a copy of the suit. Following the submission, the court directed Gadkari’s legal team to furnish the copies of petition to all respondents and listed the matter for further hearing on August 5.

On Monday, the Bombay High Court permitted Gadkari to file a civil suit against Meta Platforms, X Corp, Google LLC and other unknown persons over “defamatory” deepfakes and AI-generated posts uploaded against him.

The suit seeks removal of content that Gadkari says falsely associates him with the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme and the E20 initiative. According to the plea, both are administered by the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Gadkari has no role in either programme.

The plea identifies at least 24 allegedly defamatory posts and further alleges that the deepfake content exploited Gadkari’s personality and publicity rights without his knowledge, consent or authorization. Gadkari said the lawsuit is not intended to prevent public discussion, debate or fair criticism of government policies, but targets content he describes as false, fabricated, malicious and defamatory.

The case highlights the growing misuse of AI-generated deepfakes targeting Indian political leaders. Earlier this month, India’s Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal filed a police complaint after an AI-generated deepfake video falsely portrayed his remarks outside Parliament.

Nitin Gadkari

Goyal said the video had been maliciously doctored to spread misinformation, adding that an FIR was registered and that strict legal action would be taken against those responsible for creating, circulating or amplifying the fake content.

He also urged the public to rely only on verified and authentic sources of information.

Also Read: Spot the AI: India Plans Tougher Rules on Synthetic Content

Authors

  • AI FrontPage Reporter Supriya Singh

    Supriya Singh is a Reporter at AI FrontPage covering the AI & Education and AI & Jobs beats. She brings six years of print and digital experience, including three years at The Asian Age, where she reported on higher education, Delhi government, and crime. She is based in Delhi-NCR.

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  • Pratima Pareek, Editor and Co-founder of AI FrontPage

    Pratima O Pareek is an Editor and Co-Founder of AI FrontPage. A gold medalist in Mass Communication and Journalism, she's worked across national and international newsrooms, bringing sharp editorial instincts and a commitment to clarity. She believes in cutting through the noise to deliver stories that actually matter.
    Off the clock, she watches offbeat cinema, follows tennis, and explores new places like a traveler, not a tourist.

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