LI Network
Published on: December 1, 2023 at 23:00 IST
The Supreme Court, prolonged the interim protection provided to four journalists against coercive actions by the Gujarat Police concerning articles critical of the Adani Group.
The court also granted the State of Gujarat a one-week period to submit its response.
On November 3rd, a bench comprising Justice BR Gavai and Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra had granted interim protection to journalists Ravi Nair and Anand Mangnale, shielding them from potential arrest following a complaint related to an article on the Adani-Hindenburg row published on the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) website.
Similarly, on November 10th, the same bench extended interim protection to Financial Times (FT) journalists Benjamin Nicholas Brooke Parkin and Chloe Nina Cornish, who were summoned by the Gujarat Police over an article published in August.
Today, the case was presented before a bench of Justice Hrishikesh Roy and Justice Sanjay Karol. Senior Advocate Anand Grover, representing the OCCRP journalists, argued that, in accordance with the Supreme Court Rules, the matter should be heard by the same bench that issued the notice, led by Justice Gavai.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the State of Gujarat, responded, stating, “I don’t want to choose any bench. I am before the Supreme Court of India.”
The court decided to adjourn the matter for one week. Senior Advocate Siddharth Agarwal appeared on behalf of the FT correspondents.
Journalist Ravi Nair and OCCRP editor Anand Mangnale had faced scrutiny from the Gujarat police due to a critical article they co-authored titled ‘Documents Provide Fresh Insight Into Allegations of Stock Manipulation That Rocked India’s Powerful Adani Group.’
This article, published on the OCCRP website, prompted notices from Ahmedabad’s crime branch, directing them to appear in connection with a preliminary inquiry based on an application by investor Yogeshbhai Mafatlal Bhansali.
Another plea was filed by FT’s Delhi Correspondent Benjamin Nicholas Brooke Parkin and Mumbai Correspondent Chloe Nina Cornish, who were summoned by the Gujarat Police for a preliminary inquiry based on a complaint filed by an investor in Adani group companies.
The article in question, titled ‘Secret Paper Trail Reveals Hidden Adani Investors,’ was not authored by the petitioners, and the court, while granting interim protection, urged cooperation with the investigation.
Case Title: Ravi Nair v. State of Gujarat & Anr.