The Bombay High Court on Wednesday granted interim relief to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and directed social media platforms to remove allegedly defamatory and AI-generated deepfake content linking him and his family to the Centre’s E20 ethanol-blending programme.
Justice Arif Doctor ordered intermediaries, including Meta and Google/YouTube, to take down the content identified in Gadkari’s plea, observing that the material was “absolutely vile” and abusive.
The court said such content had no place on public platforms accessible to everyone, including children. It also recorded the statements of Meta and Google agreeing to remove the content listed in the petition.
Gadkari filed the defamation suit against Meta, X, Google/YouTube, the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the Department of Telecommunications, and unidentified users named as “Ashok Kumar/John Doe.” The matter has been posted for further hearing after four weeks.
The Union Minister sought permanent and mandatory injunctions for the removal of manipulated videos, images, reels and posts that he described as AI-generated deepfake and defamatory content.
According to the petition, the posts falsely held Gadkari personally responsible for the E20 ethanol-blending programme and alleged that he and his family had derived financial benefits from it. The plea specifically referred to claims that his son, Nikhil Gadkari, runs CIAN Agro Industries & Infrastructure Ltd., an ethanol manufacturing company, and therefore indirectly benefits from the programme.
Gadkari denied the allegations, saying the content falsely accused him of corruption, conflict of interest and abuse of office. The suit also challenged posts claiming that he introduced or mandated E20 petrol and was responsible for vehicle damage allegedly caused by ethanol-blended fuel.
The petition argued that these claims were factually incorrect, noting that the E20 programme is implemented by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, not the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways headed by Gadkari.
While seeking the removal of the content, Gadkari clarified that he was not attempting to suppress fair criticism of government policy or his public life. However, he argued that the challenged posts contained fabricated quotes, manipulated visuals, profane language and AI-generated content that fell outside the scope of legitimate criticism or political satire.
What is E20 fuel?
E20 is petrol blended with 20% ethanol.
Ethanol is usually produced from sugarcane or corn.
E20 means 20% ethanol and 80% petrol.
It aims to reduce oil imports and cut carbon emissions.
Most modern petrol vehicles can run on E20 with minor adjustments.
Why is the E20 fuel controversial?
Vehicles made before April 2023 may not be compatible, causing engine or component issues.
Drivers report 6–8% lower mileage, increasing per-kilometre costs.
E20 is now the main fuel at most stations, leaving no ethanol-free alternatives.
While it reduces carbon emissions, concerns remain over vehicle performance and consumer costs.
Does E20 fuel really impact mileage of vehicles in India? What do reports suggest?
E20 fuel can reduce vehicle mileage by 2% to 6%, depending on the car model and driving conditions.
Automakers confirm it is safe for modern vehicles but may slightly lower fuel efficiency.
Many drivers have reported a 6% to 8% drop in mileage, which can raise overall fuel costs despite ethanol being cheaper than petrol.
Older vehicles, especially those made before April 2023, may experience engine knocking, corrosion, or other issues with E20.
The government has acknowledged these concerns but continues with the nationwide E20 rollout, emphasising its environmental and energy benefits.
What are the benefits and effects of using E20 fuel in India?
E20 is part of India’s plan to reduce emissions and promote sustainable energy.
Sugarcane-based ethanol can cut emissions by 65%, maize-based by 50% compared to petrol.
The government worked with manufacturers to ensure most vehicles are E20-compatible.
Some reports show slight mileage drops, but factors like driving habits and vehicle condition also matter.
Countries like Brazil have successfully used higher ethanol blends without major issues.
E20 use does not affect vehicle insurance, and owners should consult service stations if needed.
Can India produce enough ethanol for E20?
India’s annual ethanol production capacity reached about 1,810 crore litres by mid-2025, up from 421 crore litres in 2013.
In 2024–25, around 548 crore litres of ethanol were blended, achieving an 18.74% blend rate.
To meet the 20% E20 target, India needs over 1,000 crore litres of ethanol annually.
The government is promoting alternative feedstocks like maize to diversify ethanol supply.
Continued investment in infrastructure and feedstock expansion is needed to fully achieve the E20 rollout.
