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Manish Kashyap had claimed that his Toyota vehicle suffered engine damage after being fuelled with E20 petrol.
Manish Kashyap, whose real name is Tripurari Kumar Tiwari, is a YouTuber from Bihar’s West Champaran district. (Photo: X)
Popular YouTuber Manish Kashyap has found himself at the centre of a controversy after an FIR was registered against him in Nagpur for allegedly spreading misleading information about ethanol-blended petrol (E20), Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and automobile manufacturer Toyota.
The action follows a viral video in which Kashyap claimed that his Toyota vehicle suffered engine damage after being fuelled with E20 petrol. The video reignited online debate over the impact of ethanol-blended fuel on vehicle performance and durability.
However, Gadkari publicly rejected the allegations, saying an inspection conducted by Toyota found that the vehicle’s fuel tank contained a mixture of petrol and water.
“There is one YouTuber in Patna. I won’t reveal his name. He refused to hand over his car and even abused me. After the matter went viral, Toyota tested the vehicle. The test found a mixture of petrol and water in the fuel tank. Toyota then filed an FIR against him,” Gadkari said recently.
Who Is Manish Kashyap?
Manish Kashyap, whose real name is Tripurari Kumar Tiwari, is a YouTuber from Bihar’s West Champaran district.
He studied Civil Engineering at Savitribai Phule Pune University before gaining popularity through his YouTube channel, “Manish Kashyap Son of Bihar”, which has more than 9.3 million subscribers.
Known for his commentary on social and political issues, Kashyap has built a large following across Bihar and northern India through his videos and on-ground reporting style.
Manish Kashyap’s Political Journey
Kashyap had initially expressed interest in contesting the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from the West Champaran constituency. However, he later joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and did not enter the electoral fray.
In 2025, he switched to Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party and contested the Bihar Assembly election from the Chanpatia constituency. He was unsuccessful in the election.
Manish Kashyap’s Net Worth
According to reports, Kashyap once earned around Rs 10 lakh per month through his YouTube channel, although recent estimates suggest his monthly earnings have declined significantly.
As per the affidavit filed during the 2025 Bihar Assembly election, Kashyap declared total assets worth approximately Rs 88.37 lakh. The affidavit also showed liabilities of around Rs 17 lakh.
What Does the Government Say About E20 Petrol?
The controversy comes amid an ongoing debate over E20 fuel, which contains 20 per cent ethanol blended with petrol.
The government has acknowledged that some vehicles may experience a fuel-efficiency reduction of around 3-5 per cent when using E20 petrol. However, it has dismissed claims that the blend causes a 30 per cent drop in mileage.
Addressing concerns over engine damage, especially in older vehicles, the government has maintained that there is no evidence of any widespread pattern of engine failures linked to E20 fuel since its rollout.
Officials have stated that E20 was approved only after extensive testing by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) and leading automobile manufacturers.
According to the government, the testing covered engine durability, corrosion resistance, fuel system compatibility and overall vehicle performance before the fuel was introduced on a wider scale.
Older vehicles, particularly BS-III models or those manufactured before widespread use of ethanol-compatible materials, may require earlier replacement of fuel lines and seals due to E20 petrol.
About the Author
Saurabh Verma is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com, specializing in Indian politics, national current affairs, and breaking global news. With years of experience tracking power shifts, election strateg…Read More
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