Gandhinagar court issues notices to journalists in Adani defamation case

The Adani Group has indicted Abhisar Sharma, a YouTuber, and Raju Parulekar, a blogger, for spreading erroneous and slanderous content that spoils its reputation.

Summons for September 20

A Gandhinagar court has issued notices to journalists Abhisar Sharma and Raju Parulekar in connection with criminal defamation complaints filed by the Adani Group. The Court of Judicial Magistrate First Class, Gandhinagar (P.S. Adalaj) has directed both to appear in person on September 20, according to a company release.

Defamation Allegations

Adani Group has accused Sharma, a YouTuber, and Parulekar, a blogger, of spreading “false and defamatory” content aimed at maligning the company’s reputation. The complaints invoke Sections 356 (1, 2 and 3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which correspond to Sections 499, 500 and 501 of the Indian Penal Code dealing with defamation.

Content Under Dispute

The allegations include:

• A YouTube video uploaded by Sharma on August 18, 2025, claiming that thousands of bighas of land in Assam were allotted to Adani, linking it to alleged political favours.
• A series of tweets and retweets by Parulekar since January 2025 alleging land grabs, scams and undue benefits.

Adani dismissed these claims as “baseless and misleading,” stating that a Gauhati High Court order dated August 12, 2025, cited by the respondents, did not mention the group. The company also clarified that Mahabal Cement Pvt Ltd, which was central to the High Court case, has “no connection with Adani.”

Next Steps

Evidence presented to the court includes Sharma’s video and transcript, Parulekar’s social media posts, and related court records. If the complaints are admitted, the matter may proceed to trial. Both journalists could face up to two years’ imprisonment, fines, or both if convicted.