The Gujarat High Court on Wednesday declined to grant interim release to journalist Ravi Nair, who is in custody following the execution of a non-bailable warrant in a criminal defamation case filed by the Adani Group. Justice M K Thakker heard Nair’s challenge to the warrant and reserved the matter for orders.
The Court indicated that the order would be dictated next Wednesday. Nair had sought immediate release while challenging the Sessions Court proceedings that led to his custody.
Background
Nair was convicted by a magistrate in February 2026 in a criminal defamation complaint concerning posts on X and articles published online. He was sentenced to one year of simple imprisonment and fined Rs 5,000. He subsequently appealed against the conviction, and the Sessions Court suspended his sentence and granted him bail subject to conditions.
A non-bailable warrant was later issued after Nair did not personally appear before the appellate court on September 3. His application seeking exemption from personal appearance was rejected. On September 17, he appeared before the Sessions Court and sought cancellation of the warrant, but the application was rejected and he was taken into judicial custody.
Nair’s counsel, Advocate Abhik Chimni, argued that Nair had appeared on three of eight appeal hearings and had also obtained exemption on one occasion. He disputed the Sessions Court’s description of his absence and argued that the non-bailable warrant should not have been issued without first resorting to summons or a bailable warrant.
Senior Advocate Mitesh Amin, appearing for the Adani Group, opposed the plea and urged the Court to consider Nair’s conduct during the appellate proceedings. He also referred to other proceedings involving allegations concerning publications about the Group.
The High Court declined to grant interim release while the matter stood reserved for orders.
"As this matter has been heard and the matter is kept for dictation of the order, no interim relief is required to be granted."
The Court also observed that Nair could not challenge the non-bailable warrant in the same manner after it had already been executed. It further took note of the fact that Nair had approached the Sessions Court for regular bail, a development that had not been disclosed during the High Court proceedings.
The High Court reserved its order on Nair’s challenge to the warrant and directed that it would dictate the order next Wednesday.
