Delhi court restrains journalists from publishing defamatory content against Adani Enterprises
New Delhi: A Delhi court has granted interim relief to Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL), restraining several journalists, activists, and foreign-linked organisations from publishing or circulating allegedly unverified and defamatory content against the company. The court also directed that all previously published defamatory material be taken down from websites and social media platforms within a stipulated timeframe.
The interim order was passed by Senior Civil Judge Anuj Kumar Singh in response to a defamation suit filed by AEL. The court noted that the continuous circulation of unverified allegations could harm the company’s reputation, create panic among investors, affect project execution, and disrupt global business operations.
According to the suit, the allegedly defamatory content was published on platforms such as paranjoy.in, adaniwatch.org, and adanifiles.com.au. The company claimed that the coordinated publications, along with videos and social media posts, were designed to damage its global standing and investor confidence.
The defendants named in the suit include journalists Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, Ravi Nair, Abir Dasgupta, Ayaskanta Das, Ayush Joshi, and entities such as the Bob Brown Foundation, Dreamscape Network International Private Limited, Getup Limited, Domain Directors Private Limited (Instra), and unnamed individuals (John Doe).
AEL’s counsel, Vijay Aggarwal, argued that these publications had caused irreparable damage to the company’s reputation and investor trust. He stated that despite past regulatory scrutiny in 2023, AEL had not been found guilty of any wrongdoing and had since regained market confidence.
The court observed that there is a prima facie case in favour of the company and that the balance of convenience lies with the plaintiff. It held that continued distribution of such material could lead to a media trial and adversely affect public perception. The court therefore restrained the defendants from publishing, distributing, or forwarding any further unverified or defamatory content about AEL.
Additionally, the court directed that all such material already published be removed within five days. Digital intermediaries hosting this content have been instructed to take it down within 36 hours of receiving notice, in compliance with the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules.
However, the court made it clear that this is not a blanket ban on reporting. It allowed the defendants to publish or circulate content that is fair, accurate, and based on verified and substantiated facts. The court also stated that reporting on legal proceedings and investigations is permissible, provided it meets the standards of journalistic fairness.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on October 9, 2025.
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4 held for sexually assaulting woman, girl on moving bus after social media alert in UP's Agra
Agra (UP) (PTI): Four people were arrested, after a prompt response by police following a social media alert, for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman and a girl inside a moving bus here, officials said on Tuesday.
According to an official police statement, at 12:27 am on April 27, information was received on the social media platform X about an incident of sexual assault on a bus travelling from Kanpur to Ahmedabad, which was approaching Namner crossing in Agra.
Acting under the direction of Police Commissioner Deepak Kumar, the Agra Police social media team immediately alerted the Rakabganj police station within minutes and coordinated with the victims to confirm the incident and obtain the exact location, it stated.
Police teams launched intensive checking at Namner crossing and intercepted the bus as it reached the spot. The four accused involved in the incident were apprehended on the spot, and legal action was initiated against them, the statement said.
The police said the swift response and coordination between the social media team and field units ensured timely action, bringing relief to the victims and other passengers, who expressed gratitude towards the police, it added.
