‘Posts against Nitin Gadkari vile, defamatory. Take them down’: Bombay HC amid E20 row

The Bombay High Court ordered major social media platforms, including Meta, X, and Google, to remove defamatory posts and deepfake videos targeting Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and his family regarding the ethanol-blended petrol (EBP) program. The court emphasized that the content against Gadkari was "vile" and "abusive," urging platforms to develop a framework for swiftly removing such material without constant court intervention.

Justice Arif Doctor stated that such content has no place on public platforms, which are accessible to all, including minors. If more abusive material or deepfakes emerge, the court will be informed. The matter was adjourned for four weeks to allow for further discussion. Gadkari had filed a petition alleging that social media posts falsely claimed he and his family had received financial benefits from the EBP program, accusing the posts of insinuating corruption, nepotism, and abuse of power.

The minister sought damages of ₹11 crore, arguing that the content was false, fabricated, malicious, misleading, unsubstantiated, and devoid of any factual basis. The EBP program, introduced to reduce crude oil imports, was accelerated since 2021, with India achieving a 20% ethanol blending (E20) five years early. Despite complaints about reduced mileage and engine corrosion in older vehicles, the minister and the government dismissed these claims as social media misinformation.

The case arose after a police complaint was lodged by Shishir Arun Tripathi, a BJP social media cell convener, over "baseless and objectionable claims" about Gadkari and the E20 fuel that could mislead the public and disturb peace.