DUJ Shocked at Gujarat Court’s Judgement on Ravi Nair
11/02/2026
New Delhi,February 11 (KIP)-The Delhi Union of Journalists is shocked by a Gujarat court's judgement sentencing leading investigative journalist Ravi Nair to a year in jail. The Mansa court has held Nair guilty of criminal defamation of the Adani group through his various tweets and writings.
Judicial Magistrate Damini Dixit dismissed all arguments that Nair's tweets were issued for the public good, were truthful and made in good faith. Instead she said he had targeted the Adani group "alleging unethical conduct, manipulation of laws, misuse of governmental machinery, environmental violations and financial impropriety".
Over a dozen of Nair's tweets made in 2020-21 were comments backed by links to articles in reputable publications. They referred to the circumstances surrounding various Adani investments and acquisitions such as the Mumbai airport, various ports, dominance of the CNG market etc.
However, the magistrate held that "The law draws a clear line between responsible critique and reckless imputation.”
Nair will obviously appeal the sentence whose broad observations have grave implications for the implementation of the defamation law.
The Delhi Union of Journalists reiterates its long held stance that defamation needs to be decriminalised. Nair has been sentenced under a colonial law, Section 499 of the Indian Penal Code of 1860.
This and similar Sections of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 that continue to criminalise defamation must be struck down, repealed. We believe that the civil defamation laws are adequate. We strongly believe that no journalist should ever go to jail for speaking up.