Gadkari Sues Meta, Others for $1.1m Over Ethanol Posts

India's road transport minister Nitin Gadkari sued Meta and other technology companies on Tuesday, seeking 110 million rupees, or $1.14 million, in damages over what he said were defamatory social media posts linking him to the country's E20 ethanol-blending fuel programme.

Gadkari filed the suit in the Bombay High Court. His office told AFP that the online content falsely portrayed him as personally responsible for the government's E20 policy and accused him and his family of profiting from the initiative.

Gadkari argued that the posts and videos, which he described as deepfakes, were causing irreparable harm to his reputation.

E20 petrol contains 20 percent ethanol. India's government is pushing the biofuel strategy as part of efforts to reduce dependence on imported oil and lower emissions. The fuel has come under scrutiny after viral social media posts alleged that it harms engines and raises maintenance costs in vehicles designed for lower ethanol blends.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, did not immediately respond to AFP's request for comment. Indian media reported that the suit also names X Corp, Google and other entities.

India has the world's largest number of Facebook and Instagram users, making it one of Meta's most important markets by reach and engagement. The Indian governmentates expanded social media rules, including requirements for platforms to remove content and follow government takedown orders.