Adani Defamation Case: Gujarat High Court Issues Notice On Journalist Ravi Nair's Plea Challenging NBW, Custody
The Gujarat High Court on Saturday (September 19) issued notice to the State Government and Adani Enterprise on journalist Ravi Nair's plea who has challenged his arrest after a non-bailable warrant was issued against him by a sessions court for non-appearance in a defamation case filed by the company. Adani Enterprises Ltd filed the criminal defamation case alleging that Ravi Nair published...
The Gujarat High Court on Saturday (September 19) issued notice to the State Government and Adani Enterprise on journalist Ravi Nair's plea who has challenged his arrest after a non-bailable warrant was issued against him by a sessions court for non-appearance in a defamation case filed by the company.
Adani Enterprises Ltd filed the criminal defamation case alleging that Ravi Nair published and disseminated a series of tweets containing false and defamatory statements intended to damage the reputation of AEL and the Adani Group.
Nair has challenged a September 17 order by the sessions court which rejected his plea for cancellation of NBW and directed that he be sent to jail. He has also challenged a September 3 order by which the trial court held that Nair is an absconder and is absconding himself to avoid arrest in any offence.
He also sought restoration of a March 9 order wherein his order of conviction was suspended and he was released on bail.
Justice MK Thakker issued notice on Nair's plea and listed the matter today i.e. September 21.
Nair's counsel submitted without issuing any notice or summons, a Non-Bailable Warrant came to be issued directly against him. It is further submitted that, when Nair approached the Appellate Court seeking cancellation of the Non-Bailable Warrant by filing an application, it was rejected and he was taken into custody.
"Considering the submissions advanced by learned advocate, let Notice be issued, making it returnable on 21.09.2026," the high court said.
On 10.02.2026, the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Mansa held Nair guilty of the offence of defamation, convicted and sentenced him to undergo simple imprisonment for a term of one year and to pay a fine of Rs. 5,000.
Aggrieved, Nair preferred an appeal before the sessions court which had allowed his application and suspended his sentence subject to the conditions that he shall regularly remain present, shall not leave India without the prior permission of that Court, shall deposit his passport, and shall furnish and not change his residential address and mobile number without prior permission.
Nair has said that he is not a resident of the State of Gujarat and ordinarily resides in Kerala, at a considerable distance from Gandhinagar. Attendance upon each and every date of hearing of the appeal therefore entails substantial travel, expense and hardship for him.
He said that he was at all material times, duly represented before the appellate Court through his Advocate, who remained present on every date of hearing, and that the hearing of the appeal was never delayed or obstructed on account of the Petitioner.
The plea seeks quashing and setting aside of the sessions court's order.
Case title: Ravi Nair v/s State of Gujarat & Anr.
R/SPECIAL CRIMINAL APPLICATION (QUASHING) NO. 13853 of 2026
Appearance: MR PRATIKKUMAR B RUPALA for the Applicant(s) No. 1
MR ABHIK CHIMNI WITH RONITH JOY for the Applicant(s) No. 1
MR MEET THAKKAR, ADDL.PUBLIC PROSECUTOR for the Respondent(s) No. 1