The Bombay High Court on Monday granted Union Minister Nitin Gadkari leave to institute a civil suit against Meta Platforms, X Corp, Google LLC and unidentified persons over the circulation of allegedly defamatory, AI-generated deepfake content linking him to the E20 ethanol-blended fuel controversy.

Justice Abhay Ahuja allowed Gadkari’s leave petition under Clause XII of the Letters Patent, enabling him to file the substantive suit before the High Court even though part of the cause of action arose outside its territorial jurisdiction.

It was submitted that the allegedly defamatory videos and social media posts were accessible in Mumbai, thereby conferring jurisdiction on the Bombay High Court. He contended that the content falsely associated him with the E20 petrol policy through manipulated and AI-generated material, causing reputational harm.

The proposed suit seeks appropriate reliefs, including the removal of the allegedly defamatory content from social media platforms and the internet, as well as action against those responsible for creating and disseminating it.