Bombay High Court Orders Takedown of Posts Targeting Gadkari

Synopsis

The Bombay High Court has granted interim relief to Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in a suit against Meta, Google/YouTube, X and unidentified users over Deepfakes falsely accusing him of Centre's E20 Ethanol-blending programme. Justice Arif Doctor held that the content is ‘vile and abusive’ therefore, ordered its takedown. Meta and Google are directed to comply with the order. Nitin Gadkari also pleaded a total Rs 11 crore in damages, saying “fabricated posts wrongly accuse him of profiting off his son's ethanol company”, though he clarified genuine political criticism and satire are not the target. The matter is adjourned for four weeks.

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What Did The Bombay High Court Order On The Deepfakes?

On August 5, 2026, Justice Arif Doctor of the Bombay High Court in interim order sided with Gadkari in his suit against Meta, Google, YouTube and other intermediaries. The judge went through the posts, reels and videos placed before the court and did not hold back, calling the material “absolutely vile and abusive” and saying it had no business being on a public platform that literally anyone, including kids, can access.

Meta and Google, to their credit, told the court they'd comply and take the problematic posts down. The court also asked the platforms to come up with a standing system to deal with complaints like this one going forward, so Gadkari doesn't have to run back to court every single time a new Deepfake pops up. If a platform is not sure whether a particular post falls under the order, they can always go back and ask the court for clarity.

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Why Did Gadkari Move The Court Against Meta And Google?

Gadkari filed a civil suit in July 2026, naming Meta, Google, The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the Department of Telecommunications, and a bunch of unidentified social media users tagged as ‘Ashok Kumar/John Doe.’ Gadkari wanted a total of Rs 11 crore in damages, plus the permanent and mandatory injunction against the flagged videos, memes and AI Deepfakes circulating in the internet, accusing him of being a mastermind behind the E20 ethanol-blending programme.

In reality, that programme is administered by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, not by Ministry of Road & Transportation for which he can’t be held responsible Contends Minister.

Who Is Nikhil Gadkari And How Is He Linked To The Case?

The civil suit filed by Gadkari was specifically challenged the ongoing rumour stating that his son, Nikhil Gadkari who is an owner of CIAN Agro Industries & Infrastructure Limited, an ethanol manufacturer company and the allegation was that the Gadkari family is profiting off this scheme, which is denied by Gadkari.

Gadkari acknowledged and ensured that the civil suit was never against people fairly criticising the Government policies and political satires but on the ongoing fake propaganda through memes, AI generated videos and abusive videos targeting the dignity of the Gadkari family.

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How Will the Deepfake Case Proceed From Here?

The matter is listed for the next hearing after four weeks. Till then, the interim order granted by the Hon'ble court will be in force and Gadkari can flag any further AI generated videos or Deepfakes to Meta and Google and the authorities have to comply with it as per the court order.

The legal fraternity is already calling this judgement somewhat historic as it is for the first time the court granted any relief regarding Deepfakes, AI generated video targeting the dignity of a public figure. The court used intermediary-liability rules under the IT Act, because Indian legislation lacks a standalone law that specifically criminalises Deepfakes against public figures.