Gujarat High Court Issues Notice to State, Adani Enterprises Over Journalist's Non-Bailable Warrant
· India · Indian Express, India Today, The Hindu
The Gujarat High Court has issued a notice to the Gujarat government and Adani Enterprises on a petition by journalist Ravi Nair challenging a non-bailable warrant issued against him by a Gandhinagar sessions court. Nair was taken into judicial custody and sent to jail on September 17 after the sessions court rejected his application for exemption from personal appearance, citing poor health and travel from Kerala. The warrant followed a February conviction for criminal defamation by a Mansa magisterial court, which sentenced him to one year's imprisonment and a Rs 5,000 fine over tweets and articles about the Adani Group. Nair's lawyers argue the NBW was issued without a prior summons or bailable warrant, contrary to a Supreme Court decision. The High Court kept the petition for further hearing on Monday.
Why it matters
The case directly affects journalist Ravi Nair's liberty and raises questions about the use of non-bailable warrants in defamation cases involving corporate complainants. It tests the balance between freedom of speech and criminal procedure, with the High Court's next order determining whether Nair remains in custody or is released.
Read the original report — Indian Express
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