The order, prompted by Thakurta’s investigative reporting, demands content removal within 36 hours, extending to platforms like Meta and Google.Source : Getty Images
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has directed digital news publishers to comply with a Delhi court order mandating the removal of alleged defamatory content against Adani Enterprises Ltd.
The directive, issued through an official notice dated September 16, refers to a court order from September 6 in the case of Adani Enterprises Ltd. v. Paranjoy Guha Thakurta & Others. The Senior Civil Judge of Rohini Court, Delhi, had instructed defendants to remove defamatory material from articles and social media posts within five days.
However, the Ministry noted that compliance with the court’s direction has not been carried out within the stipulated period. As a result, publishers have now been ordered to take immediate action to expunge the flagged content and report compliance to the Ministry within 36 hours of receiving the communication.
The notice, issued under the signature of Deputy Secretary (Digital Media) Arpitha S, has also been forwarded to global platforms, including Meta Platforms Inc and Google Inc, for necessary compliance and monitoring.
Paranjoy Guha Thakurta published several investigative articles, first with the Economic and Political Weekly (EPW) and then The Wire, alleging that the Modi government’s changes to special economic zone rules and other regulations helped the Adani Group secure improper financial benefits and evade taxes.
After the publication of these reports in 2017, Adani Group issued defamation notices to EPW and later to The Wire, demanding that the articles be taken down. EPW complied, which led to Thakurta’s resignation as editor. The Wire refused, leading Adani to seek court injunctions against the website and file both civil and criminal defamation suits.
Adani later dropped its complaint against The Wire and other accused individuals, but continued the suit against Thakurta himself. In 2021, a Gujarat court issued an arrest warrant for Thakurta under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code (criminal defamation) for allegedly harming the company’s reputation.
Earlier this month, a Delhi court granted interim relief to Adani Enterprises by restraining Thakurta and other journalists from publishing “defamatory and unverified” reports on the Adani Group. The court ordered the journalists and several websites to remove purportedly defamatory material within five days and issued summons for a further hearing.
The Adani Group alleged the reporting was part of a malicious campaign aligned with “anti-India interests” that hurt its reputation and business, particularly after reference was made to the findings of the 2023 Hindenburg Research report.
Thakurta and other journalists have challenged these gag orders, describing the suits as an attempt to stifle independent journalism and restrict fair reporting on the company and its links to government policies.
Following the court’s directive, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting directed YouTube and Instagram to take down 221 flagged items — 138 YouTube links and 83 Instagram posts — published by outlets such as The Wire, HW News, Newslaundry and by journalists like Ajit Anjum, Ravish Kumar, Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, and Akash Banerjee.
The scale of the takedown alarmed many in the media fraternity. Many indicated that the action was part of a growing pressure on commentators and influencers who are able to drive online narratives.
However, the enforcement in this case is procedurally clear. The government’s takedown notices were issued after a court’s order, and not at its own whim.
The court’s injunction specifically targeted “unverified” and “unsubstantiated” statements and bars republication of identified material. It does not prohibit fresh investigation, analysis or opinion on the Adani Group. In principle, defendants retain full opportunity to substantiate their claims within the judicial process.
