The Gujarat High Court has permitted Adani Enterprises Limited to place its reply on record in response to a petition filed by journalist Ravi Nair challenging his detention under a non-bailable warrant in a criminal defamation matter, while clarifying that no further adjournments will be entertained.
Justice M K Thakker scheduled the matter for its next hearing on September 23 after senior counsel representing the conglomerate requested time on Monday to present specific factual and legal submissions. Advocate Abhik Chimni, appearing for Nair, resisted the request and pressed for prompt interim relief to prevent his client from remaining in custody, arguing that a private complainant should not receive repeated deferrals. In an order dictated in open court, the bench ruled that the complainant deserved an opportunity to state its position following the notice issued on Saturday, but emphasized that this would be the final adjournment granted.
Challenge To Arrest And Warrants
Nair’s petition contests a September 17 directive by a Gandhinagar sessions court that dismissed his plea for the cancellation of a non-bailable warrant and sent him to judicial custody. The journalist has also challenged an earlier order from September 3, in which the appellate court concluded that he was missing and deliberately evading apprehension.
Through the petition, Nair is seeking the reinstatement of a March 9 sessions court ruling that had granted him bail and suspended his prison term.
During the proceedings, Nair’s counsel submitted that the non-bailable warrant was executed without the prior issuance of a summons or notice. The defense also pointed out that Nair is based in Kerala rather than Gujarat, and that traveling long distances to attend every appellate date in Gandhinagar imposes considerable financial and logistical hardship. Chimni maintained that Nair’s counsel had appeared on his behalf at every hearing, ensuring that court proceedings were neither delayed nor obstructed.
Origins Of The Defamation Suit
The dispute arises from a criminal defamation complaint filed by Adani Enterprises regarding posts published on the social media platform X. The company claimed the publications contained false and defamatory material designed to harm the reputation of the enterprise and the wider Adani Group.
On February 10, a Judicial Magistrate First Class in Gandhinagar held Nair guilty of defamation, imposing a fine of Rs 5,000 and sentencing him to one year of simple imprisonment.
Following Nair’s appeal against the conviction, the sessions court suspended the sentence on March 9 under set conditions. These stipulations required him to deposit his passport, obtain court sanction before traveling abroad, maintain his residential address and mobile number without unapproved changes, and attend scheduled court dates.
