DIGIPUB News India Foundation, an association of digital news publishers, has condemned the continued imprisonment of journalist Ravi Nair in a criminal defamation case brought by the Adani Group. In a statement dated September 23, the media body said the case raises concerns that go well beyond one journalist.
DIGIPUB described Nair’s continued detention as “deeply disturbing” and said it stems from his reporting and posts about the Adani Group. It built its objection around one fundamental question: “If an appeal is still pending, why should a journalist be kept behind bars before the final outcome of that appeal?”
The statement also pointed out that the corporate entity pursuing the criminal proceedings ultimately controls a major news organisation whose journalists work in the same profession. It does not name the organisation.
DIGIPUB, however, argued that the case matters beyond Nair himself. “This is not merely about Ravi Nair. It is about the chilling message such a case can send to every independent journalist investigating or questioning powerful corporate interests.”
It also warned that if such prosecutions become routine, any journalist who investigates powerful entities could face the same fate. “Press freedom cannot survive if the cost of holding powerful institutions to account is imprisonment.”
On Wednesday, the Gujarat High Court rejected journalist Ravi Nair’s plea for interim release in a criminal defamation case filed against him by the Adani Group, Bar and Bench reported. Nair was convicted earlier this year and released on bail while his appeal was pending. He was taken back into custody on September 17 after a non-bailable warrant was issued against him, reportedly for failing to appear before the appellate court.
On September 23, Justice MK Thakker reserved her decision on Nair’s petition challenging the warrant issued by the Sessions Court, and said she will dictate her order on September 30, reported Bar and Bench.
Adani Enterprises filed a defamation case in September 2021, alleging that tweets posted by Nair between October 2020 and July 2021 about the Adani Group had falsely damaged its reputation among investors and regulators. Nair maintains that his posts amounted to fair, public-interest journalism based on information publicly available.
A quarter-century of Modi governance calls for questions and a hamper. To mark the occasion, we have offers for subscribers and other readers.
Newslaundry is a reader-supported, ad-free, independent news outlet based out of New Delhi. Support their journalism, here.
