Bombay HC Clears Gadkari’s Legal Action Over ‘False’ AI Content and Deepfakes

The Bombay High Court on Monday granted Union Minister Nitin Gadkari permission to file a civil suit against Meta Platforms, X Corp, Google LLC and unidentified individuals over allegedly defamatory deepfakes and AI-generated content circulated online.

Gadkari, who serves as the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways and is a senior BJP leader, had approached the court seeking leave under Clause XII of the Letters Patent. The procedural requirement applies when part of the cause of action arises outside the territorial jurisdiction of the High Court.

The plea came up before a single bench of Justice Abhay Ahuja. Appearing for Gadkari, lawyer Sandeep Ladda argued that the allegedly defamatory and manipulated content had been made available online to users in Maharashtra. As a result, he submitted, a substantial part of the cause of action had arisen within the state, giving the Bombay High Court jurisdiction to hear the matter.

The court accepted the submissions and allowed Gadkari to proceed with the proposed civil action against the online platforms and other unidentified parties.

According to the proposed suit, several fake, AI-generated and defamatory posts concerning the ethanol-blended fuel programme have been uploaded and circulated on social media and other online platforms. The content allegedly portrays Gadkari as being personally responsible for the programme and falsely claims that he and his family have financially benefited from it.

The suit contends that the allegations are false, malicious and defamatory, and were intended to create a misleading public perception about the Union minister.

Through the proposed legal action, Gadkari is seeking permanent injunctions to prevent the continued publication and circulation of the allegedly fake and defamatory material. The case also highlights growing concerns over the use of AI-generated deepfakes and manipulated digital content targeting public figures.