The Bombay High Court orders social media intermediaries to remove allegedly defamatory deepfake and abusive posts targeting Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. In urgent interim proceedings, the court directs platforms to take down content that falsely links Gadkari to the ethanol-blended petrol policy controversy. The minister moves the court seeking relief over fabricated digital content, including deepfake videos, and damages. The court also issues directions for intermediaries to furnish basic customer information of the accounts behind the reported posts, to help identify content creators. During the hearing, the court raises concerns about the lack of a clear, efficient mechanism for removing abusive and defamatory online material without requiring individuals to approach courts for redress. It notes that aggrieved persons are effectively compelled to seek judicial intervention to obtain removal of such content. The court’s observations and interim directions focus on both immediate takedown action and the ability to trace the source of the content, while the legal process continues.