Newslaundry Moves Delhi HC Against Centre’s Directive to Remove Content on Adani Enterprises

Digital news platform Newslaundry has approached the Delhi High Court, challenging a directive issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) seeking the removal of content related to Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL).

The matter was listed today before Justice Sachin Datta. However, since the Bench rose before it could be taken up, the hearing did not proceed and was adjourned to Monday, September 22, 2025.

Newslaundry has filed a petition before the High Court challenging a communication dated September 16, 2025, issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB). The communication asked the platform to take appropriate action in compliance with an ex parte gag order passed by the Rohini District Court.

The order, dated 6 September, was issued against journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta and several others, restraining them from publishing allegedly defamatory content concerning Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL) on websites and social media platforms. It was passed by Senior Civil Judge Anuj Kumar Singh of the Rohini Courts in a civil suit filed by AEL. The company alleged that a sustained defamatory campaign by journalists, activists, and organisations had damaged its global reputation, disrupted projects, and shaken investor confidence.

Taking cognisance, the Delhi court registered the suit, issued summons to the defendants, and directed service through multiple modes, including registered post, electronic means such as WhatsApp and email, and dasti service.

The Delhi court ordered, "The plaintiff is given opportunity to apply to intermediaries/concerned agencies with details of the URLs/posts/hyperlinks/articles on the basis of this order and intermediaries/concerned agencies are directed to take down/remove the alleged defamatory articles/posts/URLs whereby the prime facie defamatory material is published against the plaintiff within 36 hours, however they shall preserve the contents and record till further orders from this Court."

The judge observed that AEL had established a prima facie case, with the balance of convenience in its favour, since further circulation of unverified content could deepen reputational harm and inflict irreparable loss on investors and stakeholders.

However, on Thursday, a Delhi court set aside the Rohini trial court’s sweeping restraint order that had barred journalists Ravi Nair, Abir Dasgupta, Ayaskant Das, and Ayush Joshi from publishing allegedly defamatory reports against AEL. The appellate court stressed that broad pre-publication restrictions were legally unsustainable. The court also highlighted the impact of the earlier order, noting that it effectively allowed the plaintiff to approach intermediaries for removal of material it considered defamatory. “An incorrect determination by intermediaries would bring those who have not complied with it in the teeth of contempt,” the judge remarked. Accordingly, the order was set aside, but its effect was limited to the appellants before the court.

The connected appeal by senior journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta in the matter is pending before another judge of the same court. That bench has reserved its order.

Newslaundry’s petition will now be heard on Monday, September 22, 2025.

Case Title: Newslaundry vs Union of India

Bench: Justice Sachin Data

Hearing Date: 19 September 2025