Nitin Gadkari Sues Meta, X and Google 'E20 Deepfake Posts'

India's road transport minister Nitin Gadkari sued Meta and other tech giants on Tuesday, seeking $1.14 million in damages over what he said were defamatory social media posts linking him to the country's ethanol-blending fuel programme. 

The lawsuit comes as the Indian government pushes ahead with its E20 biofuel strategy aimed at reducing its dependence on imported oil and lowering emissions. 

E20 petrol, a fuel containing 20 percent



ethanol, has come under scrutiny after viral social media posts alleged it harms engines and raises maintenance costs in vehicles designed for lower ethanol blends.

Gadkari filed the suit in the Bombay High Court, alleging that content circulated online falsely portrayed him as being personally responsible for the government's E20 policy, his office told AFP.

The suit also claimed the posts accused Gadkari and his family of profiting from the initiative.