Full Breakdown
Gujarat High Court Allows Adadi Enterprises to File Response as Journalist Ravi Nair Remains in Custody
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: High Court Grants Adadi Time to Respond While Nair’s Non-Bailable Warrant Stands
The Gujarat High Court on Monday permitted Adadi Enterprises Limited to submit an affidavit in the defamation case against journalist Ravi Nair, while refusing any further adjournments that might delay Nair’s custody.
Background & Context
Nair was convicted by a Judicial Magistrate First Class in Gandhinagar on February 10 2026 for criminal defamation, receiving a one-year simple imprisonment term and a fine of INR5,000. The conviction stemmed from a complaint filed by Adadi Enterprises on September 3 2021 over posts on X and articles published between October 2020 and July 2021. Nair appealed; the Sessions Court suspended his sentence on March 9 2026, conditioning bail on regular appearance before the appellate court, passport deposit, and travel restrictions.
Timeline
- September 3 2021 – Adadi files criminal defamation complaint.
- February 10 2026 – Magistrate finds Nair guilty; sentences him to one year imprisonment and a INR5,000 fine.
- March 9 2026 – Sessions Court suspends sentence and releases Nair on bail with appearance conditions.
- September 3 2026 – Sessions Court holds Nair absent, alleges deliberate avoidance, and rejects his exemption request.
- September 17 2026 – Non-bailable warrant issued; Nair’s application to cancel it is rejected; he is taken into judicial custody.
- September 21 2026 – High Court issues notice to Gujarat government and Adadi, allowing the latter to file an affidavit.
- September 23 2026 (scheduled) – Next hearing on Nair’s petition.
Data & Statistics
- Conviction penalty: one-year simple imprisonment; fine of INR5,000.
- Defamation period covered: posts from October 2020 to July 2021.
- Bail conditions: mandatory court appearances, passport deposit, travel and address-change restrictions.
Official Statements & Responses
The High Court ruled that because Adadi Enterprises was represented when the notice was issued, the complainant must be afforded a fair chance to present “certain legal and factual aspects,” and no further adjournments would be granted.
Advocate Abhik Chimni, representing Nair, argued that the non-bailable warrant was issued without prior notice or summons and that requiring personal appearance at every hearing imposed “substantial travel, expense and hardship.” He cited Supreme Court judgments supporting his client’s right to bail at the appellate stage.
Senior counsel Mitesh Amin, appearing for Adadi Enterprises, requested additional time to file an affidavit to record facts and legal positions that may be adverse to the petitioner.
Criticism & Opposition
Nair’s counsel contended that Adadi Enterprises, as a private complainant, should not be permitted to seek repeated adjournments that effectively prolong the journalist’s detention.
Verbatim Quotes
- “They have no position to say anything in this matter. A Supreme Court judgment squarely covers me. This is at an appellate stage. This is not even the trial. Why should I even spend one day in jail,” — Abhik Chimni, advocate
What’s Next
The matter is slated for further hearing on September 23 2026, when the Gujarat High Court will consider Adadi Enterprises’ affidavit and Nair’s petition seeking release from judicial custody.