Bombay HC Allows Nitin Gadkari to File Defamation Suit Against Tech Giants
The Bombay High Court on Monday, July 27, 2026, allowed Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to initiate legal proceedings against Meta, Google, X, and other unnamed entities over social media content falsely linking him to the Centre’s Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP). Justice Abhay Ahuja, presiding over a single-judge Bench, granted Mr. Gadkari leave to file a substantive civil suit seeking relief that includes the removal of the content from the internet.
The suit, which seeks damages of ₹11 crore, is expected to be listed before Justice Arif Doctor. The petition was moved under Clause XII of the Letters Patent, a procedural requirement that necessitates the High Court’s permission when a part of the cause of action arises outside its territorial jurisdiction.
In the proposed court filings, Mr. Gadkari outlined the background of the Ethanol Blending Programme, which was introduced by the Central government in 2003 as a national policy initiative for blending ethanol with petrol in phases. The implementation of 20 percent ethanol blending with petrol (E20) was achieved during the 2025-2026 period under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, which has issued official press releases and clarifications on its progress.
Mr. Gadkari stated that although he has served as the Union Minister for Road Transport since 2014, he has no role in the E20 policy decisions. However, the Minister alleged that several social media posts, created and circulated by unknown users, falsely portray him as responsible for the implementation of the EBP.
According to the court filings, at least 24 posts were identified as defamatory. The filings noted that the posts falsely, maliciously, and without any basis allege that Mr. Gadkari and members of his family derived undue pecuniary benefits from the EBP implementation, thereby insinuating corruption, nepotism, conflict of interest, abuse of official position, misuse of governmental authority, and other acts of impropriety.
The Minister clarified that the suit is not intended to prevent public discussion or fair criticism of his decisions or official functions, stating that the content in question is false and fabricated. Mr. Gadkari also indicated his intention to approach the Supreme Court in the matter, while a detailed order from the High Court is awaited.
