The Delhi High Court on Thursday issued notice to news media company NDTV, its parent entity AMG Media Networks Limited and journalist Rahul Kanwal, in a defamation suit filed by industrialist Anil Ambani over reports relating to investigations by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against companies linked to the Reliance ADA Group.
The single-judge Bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad sought responses from the media entities and individuals named in the suit while hearing Ambani’s plea seeking interim injunctive relief against further publication of the allegedly defamatory content. The matter has been listed for further hearing on July 19.
Ambani has instituted the civil defamation proceedings claiming that NDTV and affiliated entities carried out a sustained and targeted media campaign intended to damage his personal reputation, business goodwill and market standing. He sought damages exceeding ₹2 crore, stating that any amount awarded would be donated for charitable purposes.
The suit has also arrayed IANS, NDTV Managing Editor Manoranjan Bharti, NDTV Profit Managing Editor Tamanna Inamdar and IANS Editor Ashish Manchanda as defendants.
Appearing for Ambani, Advocate Shri Venkatesh argued that despite investigations and enforcement proceedings being directed against corporate entities, the media reports repeatedly projected Ambani personally as the central figure in every development, including arrests and attachment proceedings. It was submitted that around 72 publications targeting Ambani had appeared over the past few months.
The plaintiff alleged that the reportage created a misleading association between him and the criminal proceedings involving group entities, thereby adversely affecting investor confidence, market perception and the commercial interests of Reliance Power and Reliance Infrastructure. It was further contended that the publications were aimed at influencing market sentiment and advancing the commercial interests of the Adani Group, which presently holds controlling interest in NDTV.
During the hearing, counsel for Ambani referred to specific reports allegedly stating that assets worth ₹1,400 crore belonging to Anil Ambani had been attached, even though the proceedings related to Reliance entities. Objection was also raised to reports suggesting that Ambani had been restrained from leaving the country, whereas, according to the submissions, he had merely furnished an undertaking before the authorities.
The High Court observed that the matter involved competing considerations relating to reputation and the constitutional protection of free speech under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. Justice Prasad noted that courts ordinarily do not grant interim gag orders at the threshold stage without hearing the media organisation and giving it an opportunity to respond.
Consequently, notice was issued to all defendants, including NDTV and AMG Media Networks Limited, directing them to file their replies to the plea seeking interim restraint against further publication of the disputed reports.
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