The Delhi High Court on Thursday (7 May) issued notice to NDTV and several of its senior editorial officials after businessman Anil Ambani filed a defamation suit over media reports connected to CBI and ED investigations involving Reliance group companies.
The matter came up before Justice Subramonium Prasad, who declined to pass any immediate restraining order against the channel and said the plea for interim relief would be considered after hearing all parties in detail.
Ambani, through his counsel, argued that NDTV had carried dozens of reports in recent months that allegedly projected him personally in a negative light, even in matters relating to corporate entities. The Court was told that several headlines referred directly to Ambani while the underlying cases were against Reliance-linked companies.
During the hearing, the judge remarked on the distinction between reporting news and expressing opinions.
“You have to show that the news is so wrong that it requires injunction,” the bench observed while hearing submissions on the request to restrain further publication of the reports.
Senior counsel appearing for Ambani also submitted that some reports allegedly created an incorrect impression that restrictions had been imposed on his travel, despite his stand that he had voluntarily given an undertaking before the Supreme Court.
The suit further alleges that the coverage was part of a “targeted smear campaign” intended to damage Ambani’s public image and influence market perception regarding Reliance group companies. More than ₹2 crore in damages has been sought in the case, with Ambani stating that the amount would be donated to charity.
After briefly hearing the matter, the High Court issued notice to NDTV and other defendants and listed the case for further hearing in July.
Case Details
Case Title: ANIL D AMBANI v. NEW DELHI TELEVISION LIMITED & ORS
Judge: Justice Subramonium Prasad
Decision Date: May 7, 2026
