Nagpur Cyber Police File FIR Against Social Media Creators Over E20 Fuel Policy Posts Targeting Nitin Gadkari
The Nagpur Cyber Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against multiple social media content creators for allegedly orchestrating a defamatory digital campaign targeting Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari. The legal action stems from online posts concerning the government's Ethanol-blended (E20) fuel policy.
Joint Commissioner of Police, Nagpur, Navinchandra Reddy, confirmed the investigation: 'An offence has been registered based on the complaint received. The FIR details the names of the individuals involved and the nature of the posts, as well as the obscene or abusive comments made by certain people. Police are currently investigating the matter.'
The complaint was filed by Shishir Arun Tripathi, convenor of the BJP Nagpur City Social Media Cell. According to the complaint, a YouTube video uploaded on July 3, 2026, by content creator Manish Kashyap allegedly contained false, defamatory, and misleading statements regarding Mr. Gadkari and E20 fuel, with the intent to mislead the public. Further, similar videos and posts were circulated through other accounts, including 'Desi Boys', 'Harshit Rathi', and 'Anklesh Inwati', making what the complainants described as baseless allegations against the Union Minister.
The complaint also claimed that the content had the potential to disturb public peace and create confusion among citizens. Based on the complaint and supporting digital evidence, the Nagpur Cyber Police registered FIR No. 0092/2026 under Sections 356, 352, and 296 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, along with Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Separately, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the Centre to reconsider the rollout of E20 petrol for vehicles not designed to run on the ethanol-blended fuel. The government has defended the policy, stating that misinformation is being spread about its impact.
The E20 fuel policy, which mandates blending 20% ethanol with petrol, aims to reduce oil imports and promote cleaner fuel. However, concerns have been raised about its compatibility with existing vehicles and potential engine damage.
