Gujarat court issues notices to two journalists on Adani Group’s defamation complaint

A court in Gandhinagar has issued notices to journalists Abhisar Sharma and Raju Parulekar for personal appearance on September 20, after criminal defamation complaints were filed against them by Adani Group.

The business conglomerate accused Mr. Sharma, a YouTuber, and Mr. Parulekar, a blogger, of spreading false and defamatory content to malign its reputation.

The Court of Judicial Magistrate First Class, Gandhinagar, P.S. Adalaj, has issued notices to both individuals and directed them to appear on September 20, according to a release issued by Adani Group.

The group has invoked sections 356 (1, 2 and 3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which are equivalent to the Indian Penal Code sections 499, 500, and 501, it said.

“The complaints point to a YouTube video uploaded on August 18, 2025, by Sharma alleging that thousands of bighas of land in Assam had been allotted to Adani and tying the company to a pattern of supposed political favours, as well as to a series of tweets and retweets by Parulekar since January 2025 making similar claims of land grabs, scams and undue benefits,” the release said.

Adani Group has dismissed the “baseless and misleading” allegations, stating that the Gauhati High Court order dated August 12, 2025, cited by respondents, made no reference to the business conglomerate, it said.

“The company also clarified that Mahabal Cement Pvt Ltd, the firm at the centre of the High Court case, has no connection with Adani in any manner,” the release said.

Evidence placed before the court includes Mr. Sharma’s video and transcript, Mr. Parulekar’s social media posts, the Gauhati High Court order and supporting records.

If admitted, the cases may proceed to trial, where both can face imprisonment up to two years, fines, or both, the release stated.