Indian Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has moved the Bombay High Court to file a civil defamation suit against alleged AI-generated deep-fake videos [1].
The legal action highlights the growing challenge of synthetic media in political discourse and the ability of AI to fabricate claims of financial corruption. By naming major tech platforms as parties, the suit tests the accountability of social media companies in moderating deceptive content.
Gadkari, the Minister for Road Transport and Highways, seeks the removal of videos and social-media posts that link him and his family to financial gains from the E20 ethanol-blended petrol programme [1, 2]. The E20 policy aims for 20% ethanol blending in petrol [3].
On July 22, 2024, the Bombay High Court granted permission to file the suit [2]. The legal action names Meta, X, and Google as parties to the proceedings [3]. Gadkari said, "I have approached the Bombay High Court to protect my reputation and that of my family from defamatory deep-fake content" [4].
The minister alleges the content is false and intended to tarnish his reputation. The materials in question include a mix of AI-generated videos, and misleading social-media posts [1, 2].
A justice of the Bombay High Court said, "The court grants permission to file a civil suit against the alleged deep-fake videos and misleading posts" [5].
“"I have approached the Bombay High Court to protect my reputation and that of my family from defamatory deep-fake content."”
This case underscores the intersection of emerging AI technology and national policy implementation in India. By targeting the platforms themselves alongside the content, Gadkari is attempting to establish a legal precedent for the rapid removal of synthetic media that targets public officials. The outcome may influence how Indian courts balance free speech against the proliferation of deepfakes during policy rollouts.
