Bombay HC allows Gadkari to sue over alleged deepfake E20 posts
Bombay High Court allowed Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to file a civil suit over alleged deepfake content linking him and his family to the E20 programme
The Bombay High Court on Monday (July 27) permitted Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari file a civil suit against the online circulation of alleged defamatory and deepfake material which linked him and his family members to profit from the E20 ethanol programme.
According to a report by the Bar and Bench, the Union Minister moved the petition under clause XII of the Letters Patent which is invoked when the cause of action partially originates from beyond the territorial jurisdiction of the concerned High Court.
Court grants permission
The report further stated that defendants in the suite include Meta (Facebook and Instagram), X Corp, Google LLC and YouTube, as well as the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Department of Telecommunications. The suit also impleads unknown creators and disseminators of the content have been impleaded as “Ashok Kumars/John Does”
Also Read: BJP-NDA supporters reject E20: 'Government should listen to people's feedback'
The matter was listed before Justice Abhay Ahuja. Appearing for Gadkari advocate Sandeep S Ladda pleaded for leave to file the suit.
Case against platforms
He argued that defendants were responsible for the alleged defamatory and deepfake material being available in the public domain including to users in Mumbai adding that a substantial part of the cause of action took place in the city.
Also Read: BJP-NDA supporters reject E20: 'Government should listen to people's feedback'
Justice Ahuja granted leave to file the suit following the submission allowing Gadkari to initiate civil suit against Meta and several other entities, including social media platforms and John Doe entities that have allegedly hosted or enabled the dissemination of the disputed content, stated the report.
Deepfake allegations
Gadkari, has stated in the suite that the E20 programme comes under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. He further alleged that social media posts and deepfake content depicting him as personally responsible for the E20 programme and that his family has financially gained from it are being circulated by unknown persons.
Also Read: E20 petrol row: Gadkari says only dealers, not consumers, can check mileage
The suit further stated that the allegations are false, malicious and grossly defamatory without any truth adding that such content is aimed at creating a false impression that Gadkari has misused his public post for private profit which has maligned his image.
Injunction sought
The Union Minister has also sought permanent on related “defamatory content” and “deep fake content” including social media posts, tweets, reels, videos and other material.
The development comes at a time when a section of vehicle owners have alleged that the use of E20 patrol have resulted in mileage drop and engine damage. However, Gadkari has repeatedly refuted such claims.