After Delhi Court Denies Interim Relief, Anil Ambani Withdraws Suit Against Media Over 'Defamatory' Reporting

Businessman and Chairman of Reliance Group, Anil Ambani has withdrawn his defamation case filed before a Delhi Court against Cobrapost, Economic Times and others over allegedly defamatory reporting, claiming that his companies committed a fraud of over Rs. 41,000 crores.

Senior civil judge Vivek Beniwal of Karkardooma Courts allowed the withdrawal, while granting Ambani's counsel liberty to file a fresh suit on the same cause of action.

The counsel submitted that he had received instructions from Ambani to withdraw the matter with liberty to file a fresh suit on the same cause of action.

“His statement to this effect is recorded separately. In view of the same, present suit stands disposed of being withdrawn,” the judge recorded in an order passed on December 10, 2025.

The development came after the Court, on November 17, 2025, had dismissed Ambani's application seeking ex parte ad interim injunction against the media outlets.

The judge was of the view that the defendants must be given an opportunity to be heard before any restraining order is imposed.

“Without hearing the defendants, it would not be proper to conclude that the statements or publications in question are unverified, inaccurate, malacious or irresponsible. Unless the factual matrix is examined upon hearing both the sides and unless a prima facie determination is made regarding the defamatory or unverified character of the impugned material, directing its removal from the public domain would be pre-mature. Such a course of action risks transgressing the guarantee under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India and would constitute an unwarranted intrusion into the fundamental freedom of speech and expression,” the judge had said.

The defendants named in the suit included Cobrapost.com, Live Media and Publishers Pvt. Ltd., Bennett, Coleman and Co. Ltd., and John Doe (unknown entities).

Click here to read order