Delhi court quashes gag order on four journalists in Adani case, ruling it violated due process and press freedom safeguards.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, September 18, 2025: In a major setback for Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL), a Delhi court on Thursday struck down an earlier order that had restrained four journalists from publishing or circulating allegedly defamatory content against the conglomerate. District Judge Ashish Aggarwal of Rohini Court ruled that the September 6 gag order was “not sustainable” because it had been passed without giving the journalists a chance to be heard.
The order, issued by Special Civil Judge Anuj Kumar Singh, had directed journalists Ravi Nair, Abir Dasgupta, Ayaskant Das, and Ayush Joshi to take down articles and posts deemed defamatory by AEL. Challenging this, the journalists argued that their reporting was based on facts and public interest, and that the injunction was a tool to silence scrutiny of the Adani Group.
Judge Flags Procedural Lapse
Judge Aggarwal observed that many of the questioned articles had been in the public domain for a “substantial period” before AEL filed its suit, and stressed that the lower court should have granted the defendants an opportunity to respond before ordering removals. He warned of “irreversible consequences” if content were erased prematurely.
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“The impugned order is not sustainable. Accordingly, I allow the appeal and set aside the order without any finding on merits of the case,” Aggarwal stated, clarifying that the ruling was limited to procedural grounds and not the substance of AEL’s defamation claims.
Reacting to the development, noted advocate and rights activist, Prashant Bhushan said, “Kudos to the District court judge for quashing the gag order of the Rohini court which restricted journalists from reporting on #ADANI. Shows that the judiciary is still alive in India. Govt had used this gag order to issue a sweeping takedown order on many journalists who wrote on Adani. Two cheers for Freedom of Speech!”
Delhi Court sets aside gag order restraining journalists from publishing stories about Adani Group.
Order passed in appeal filed by journalists Ravi Nair, Abir Dasgupta, Ayaskant Das and Ayush Joshi.
Appeal filed by Paranjoy Guha remains pending before other judge. https://t.co/eARqmuW6WF
— SANJAY HEGDE (@sanjayuvacha) September 18, 2025
Separate Appeal by Paranjoy Guha Thakurta
The gag order was part of a broader defamation suit naming nine defendants, including veteran investigative journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta. Thakurta, who has reported extensively on Adani, filed a separate appeal arguing that the injunction was overly broad and barred even future reporting. His case was heard by another bench, which has reserved judgment.
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Government Takedowns Escalate Controversy
The case also triggered government action. On September 16, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) ordered the removal of 138 YouTube videos and 83 Instagram posts, citing the gag order. Notices went to journalists Ravish Kumar and Ajit Anjum, satirist Akash Banerjee, YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, and outlets including The Wire, Newslaundry, and HW News. Critics noted that many flagged items were satirical or incidental mentions of the Adani Group.
The Editors Guild of India condemned the ministry’s move, calling it an alarming precedent where a private entity’s claims determined what constituted defamation.
Media rights advocates hailed Thursday’s ruling as a victory for press freedom. Legal experts said the case underscores the need for caution when courts restrict speech. “This ruling sends a clear message that due process cannot be bypassed in matters involving free expression,” said a Delhi-based media lawyer.
The defamation suit will now proceed in the lower court, where the journalists can mount their defense. Meanwhile, the verdict in Thakurta’s appeal is awaited and could shape the case’s trajectory. For now, the decision provides temporary relief to the four journalists, but the broader battle over press freedom, corporate influence, and government enforcement of takedowns remains unresolved.
Adani Enterprises has yet to comment on the court’s ruling.
