Court Delays Decision on Lifting Gag Order against Adani-Related Reports in Rohini Case, Following Request by Paranjoy Guha Thakurta
In a significant development, District Judge Sunil Chaudhary of the Rohini Court has reserved an order in an appeal against a gag order restraining journalist Paranjoy Guha from publishing defamatory content against Adani Enterprise Limited (AEL).
The appeal was heard after both parties presented their arguments. Senior Advocate Trideep Pais, appearing for Guha, argued that the plaintiff has been put in the shoes of a judge, as the judge has left it to the plaintiff to write to the intermediaries and get removed anything they find defamatory. Pais also contended that the court passed an over-broad and all-encompassing restraining order without specifying which content was found to be defamatory.
On the other hand, Senior Advocate Anurag Ahluwalia, representing AEL, took the court through the order under challenge and stated that the court had given a finding that the further publication and circulation may tarnish Adani's image. AEL referred to the articles published on paranjoy.in, adaniwatch.org, and adanifiles.com.au and said that these websites have repeatedly published defamatory content against the company, the Adani Group, as well as its founder and chairman Gautam Adani.
The court also questioned the jurisdiction of the Rohini Court in the matter, and Pais responded by questioning how the Central government could take action if it is not a party to the proceedings. The appeal against the injunction on behalf of Guha was denied an urgent hearing in another court on the same day.
Adani Enterprises argued that these journalists and activists have 'aligned with anti-India interests and have been continuously targeting Adani Enterprises' infrastructure and energy projects.' However, Pais stated that the court did not say how the material is defamatory or if the injunction is not granted it will cause irreparable loss.
The order passed on September 6 by Senior Civil Judge Anuj Kumar Singh of the Rohini Court ordered the removal of defamatory content against AEL and asked journalists to refrain from publishing unverified and defamatory information about the company. In the defamation suit, AEL alleged that certain journalists, activists, and organizations damaged its reputation and cost its stakeholders billions of dollars by causing massive loss to its image, brand equity, and credibility of India's brand as a country.
The court official who issued the order regarding the blocking decisions against Guha and others before they filed their appeal is not specified in the available information. The decision on the appeal is yet to be announced.
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