‘Posts against Nitin Gadkari vile, defamatory. Take them down’: Bombay HC amid E20 row

Bombay High Court orders removal of 'vile' posts targeting Nitin Gadkari

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday directed that allegedly defamatory social media posts targeting Union Minister Nitin Gadkari be taken down, observing that the content appeared to be "vile" and defamatory.

The interim direction came during the hearing of a civil suit filed by Gadkari, who alleged that several posts falsely linked him to financial gains from the rollout of E20 petrol, thereby damaging his reputation.

"These posts are vile and defamatory. They should be taken down," the High Court observed during the proceedings.

Court hears Gadkari's defamation plea

Gadkari approached the High Court seeking immediate relief against social media posts that allegedly claimed he stood to benefit personally from the government's ethanol-blended fuel policy.

His legal team argued that the allegations were entirely baseless, misleading and intended to tarnish the Union minister's public image.

The petition sought directions to remove the content and restrain further circulation of similar posts.

Interim relief granted

After considering the submissions, the High Court directed that the disputed posts be removed pending further proceedings.

The bench observed that freedom of expression does not extend to publishing false or defamatory allegations without supporting evidence.

The matter will be heard again on a later date, when the court is expected to consider the responses of the parties concerned.

E20 policy at the centre of controversy

The controversy relates to the Centre's push for E20 petrol, a fuel blended with 20 per cent ethanol, aimed at reducing dependence on imported crude oil, lowering emissions and supporting India's biofuel programme.

While the policy has received support from environmental and energy experts, it has also attracted criticism from some activists and political groups, leading to heated public debate.

The posts challenged before the High Court allegedly sought to connect Gadkari with financial interests arising from the policy—an allegation the minister has categorically denied.

Defamation and online accountability

The case has once again brought attention to the issue of accountability on social media platforms and the legal remedies available to public figures against defamatory online content.

Legal experts say the High Court's observations reinforce that while criticism of public officials is protected in a democracy, unverified and defamatory allegations may invite judicial intervention.