A Sessions Court in Gandhinagar on Thursday granted regular bail to journalist Ravi Nair, who had been sent to judicial custody after a non-bailable warrant (NBW) was issued against him in a criminal defamation case filed by Adani Enterprises Ltd.
The matter was heard by Principal District and Sessions Judge Abhishek Malhotra. According to the court website, Nair’s bail application has been allowed.
The case originates from a criminal defamation complaint filed by Adani Enterprises Ltd, which alleged that Nair had published and disseminated a series of social media posts containing false and defamatory statements intended to damage the reputation of the company and the Adani Group.
On February 10, 2026, the Judicial Magistrate First Class in Mansa, Gujarat, convicted Nair of defamation and sentenced him to one year of simple imprisonment along with a fine of ₹5,000. Nair subsequently challenged the conviction before a sessions court.
On March 9, the sessions court suspended the sentence pending appeal and granted him bail.
The controversy escalated after Nair failed to appear before the appellate court on September 3. The court rejected his request for exemption from personal appearance and issued a non-bailable warrant. In its order, the court observed that Nair was absconding to avoid arrest in another case.
When Nair appeared before the appellate court on September 17 seeking cancellation of the warrant, the court rejected his application and directed that he be sent to jail.
Nair subsequently approached the Gujarat High Court challenging his arrest pursuant to the NBW. On September 23, the High Court heard the matter, declined interim relief, and reserved its verdict on the petition.
Following his detention, DIGIPUB News India Foundation and several press freedom organisations expressed concern over his imprisonment, arguing that the case raised broader questions about press freedom and the use of criminal defamation laws against journalists.
Advocates Abhik Chimni, Pranjal Abrol, and Prateek Rupala appeared on behalf of Nair.
The case is titled Ravi Nair v. State of Gujarat & Anr. The appeal against Nair’s conviction remains pending.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
