Journalist Ravi Nair must remain in judicial custody as the Gujarat High Court has granted Adani Enterprises additional time to submit its formal response regarding his petition challenging his recent arrest.
Key Highlights of the Legal Proceedings:
- The Defamation Case and Warrant: Nair was previously convicted of criminal defamation by a lower court over a series of online posts and articles targeting the Adani Group. Although a sessions court initially suspended his sentence and granted him bail, a non-bailable warrant was issued after he missed a personal court appearance, leading to his detention on September 17.
- Arguments in the High Court: Nair’s legal counsel strongly opposed any delays, pressing for immediate interim relief and arguing that a private complainant should not prolong custody when an appeal is already active. However, the High Court ruled that Adani Enterprises was entitled to a fair opportunity to place its legal arguments on record.
- Next Steps: The High Court has scheduled the next hearing to review the petition and evaluate the legality of the non-bailable warrant procedure.