Adani Defamation Case: Delhi Court to Hear Paranjoy Guha Thakurta’s Appeal Against Gag Order on Sept 18

The matter came up before District Judge Rakesh Kumar Singh at Rohini Court.

Senior Advocate Trideep Pais, appearing for Thakurta, assailed the injunction order as “over-broad” and “without reasoning,” contending that it did not specify what content was defamatory or why it merited a gag order. “On this basis an ex parte injunction was given, and it also permitted the plaintiff to directly approach intermediaries to seek takedown of material,” Pais submitted.

The order in question was passed on September 6 in a suit filed by Adani Enterprises Limited.

During the course of arguments, Senior Advocate Anurag Ahluwalia appearing for the Adani Enterprises contended that the articles cited in the plaint spanned from 2017 till August 2025, and there was “nothing urgent” about the matter. “It is claimed that the context is defamatory, but it is not shown what is defamatory. Articles and websites are shown, but no finding has been given on what part is false or harmful,” Pais argued.

The Court, however, pressed the Senior Advocate to focus on the issue of urgency.

Judge Singh observed, “The order is from September 6. If you can wait for 11 days, wait for another day. If there is a judge appointed for this, then he should hear it, not a link judge.”

Pais responded that he had moved the appeal “overnight” and had been pursuing the matter continuously for the past seven days. “I am an independent journalist. I publish for different portals. If this kind of broad injunction stands, it will create problems for all websites,” he contended.

The judge then indicated that the appeal would be heard at 10 am tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Advocate Nakul Gandhi informed the Court that he appeared for other journalists; Ravi Nair, Abir Dasgupta, Ayaskant Das, and Ayush Joshi, whose related matter is listed for hearing on September 18 as well.

Opposing any immediate relief, Senior Advocate Ahluwalia appeared for Gautam Adani and AEL.

Pais, however, strongly disputed this. “The Court has not mentioned which part or which URL is defamatory. It has not shown what is the material which is false, defamatory, and why it should be injuncted. It is the duty of the plaintiff to show what is defamatory and for the Court to rule on it. Instead, the order simply reproduces instances mentioned in the plaint. While one company, AEL, has filed the suit, the plaint represents a host of companies,” he said.

The Court ultimately adjourned the matter, directing it to be heard on September 18 at 10 am.

Notably, on September 6, the order was passed by SCJ-cum-RC Anuj Kumar Singh of Rohini Courts in a fresh civil suit filed by AEL alleging that targeted defamatory campaigns by reporters, activists, and certain organizations had severely damaged the Group’s global reputation, hindered its projects, and shaken investor confidence. The Court had registered the suit, issued summons to the defendants, and directed service through ordinary process, registered post, electronic means including WhatsApp and email, as well as dasti service.

The Court had held that Adani had demonstrated a prima facie case, with balance of convenience in its favour, since continued circulation of unverified articles could further tarnish its reputation and cause irreversible loss to investors and stakeholders.