The digital news publishers’ body said the journalist’s continued detention while his appeal remains pending raises concerns for press freedom and independent journalism. The statement came as the Gujarat High Court reserved its order on Nair’s challenge to a non-bailable warrant issued against him.
Journalist Ravi Nair’s continued imprisonment in a criminal defamation case filed by Adani Enterprises has drawn criticism from media organisations, with DIGIPUB News India Foundation describing the situation as “deeply disturbing” and questioning why a journalist should remain in jail before the final outcome of his appeal.
According to information received by The Chenab Times, DIGIPUB issued a statement on September 23 expressing concern over Nair’s detention and the implications it could have for independent journalism in India. The organisation said the case extends beyond one journalist and could affect the broader media community.
Nair was convicted by a magistrate’s court in Mansa, Gujarat, on February 10 in a criminal defamation case linked to social media posts and articles concerning the Adani Group. He was sentenced to one year of imprisonment and fined ₹5,000. The conviction was subsequently challenged before a sessions court, which granted him bail while his appeal remained pending.
The current dispute arose after Nair failed to appear in person before the appellate court on September 3. The court rejected his request for exemption from appearance and issued a non-bailable warrant. When Nair appeared before the court on September 17 seeking cancellation of the warrant, his application was rejected and he was remanded to judicial custody.
On September 23, the Gujarat High Court heard Nair’s challenge to the warrant but declined interim relief and reserved its decision. Court proceedings indicate that the order is expected on September 30. Until then, Nair is set to remain in custody.
In its statement, DIGIPUB argued that the case should concern the wider media industry because of its potential impact on journalists investigating powerful institutions. The organisation also noted that the corporate entity pursuing the criminal defamation proceedings ultimately controls a major news organisation operating within the same media ecosystem.
International press freedom groups have also commented on the matter. The Committee to Protect Journalists has previously expressed concern over Nair’s conviction and said that laws permitting imprisonment for defamation can affect public-interest reporting. Reporters Without Borders has likewise criticised the use of criminal defamation laws against journalists.
The defamation case stems from a series of posts published by Nair between October 2020 and July 2021 relating to the Adani Group. Adani Enterprises alleged that the posts damaged its reputation, while Nair has maintained that his reporting and commentary were based on information already available in the public domain.
The case continues to attract attention from media organisations, legal observers, and press freedom advocates as the Gujarat High Court prepares to rule on Nair’s challenge to the non-bailable warrant.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
