The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain journalist Ravi Nair’s plea against a Gujarat Crime Branch notice linked to an article on Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd. The Court asked him to move the jurisdictional High Court instead.
A Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta heard the matter. It dismissed the petition as withdrawn and gave Nair liberty to approach the High Court.
Nair had challenged a Gujarat Crime Branch notice dated February 12, 2026. The notice related to an article published last year in The Washington Post titled “India’s $3.9 billion plan to help Modi’s mogul ally after U.S. charges”. Nair co-authored the article with Pranshu Verma, who was then the New Delhi bureau chief of The Washington Post.
Notice Over Washington Post Article
According to the plea, Nair received the impugned notice on February 12. It directed him to appear in person before the Crime Branch office in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on February 19. The appearance was sought for a preliminary enquiry linked to the article and one of his tweets.
Aggrieved by the notice, Nair approached the Supreme Court.
Court Questions Why Ravi Nair Plea Was Filed Under Article 32
Senior Advocate Anand Grover appeared for Nair. He submitted that Adani had started three cases against the journalist. He argued that Nair was facing continued harassment.
Grover also contended that the Gujarat Crime Branch had acted without jurisdiction.
No Interim Relief In Ravi Nair Plea
During the hearing, the Bench asked why Nair had filed a petition under Article 32 before the Supreme Court. It said he could have approached the jurisdictional High Court.
In response, Grover said the case involved a fundamental right. He also stressed the petitioner’s right to free speech.
However, the Bench was not inclined to entertain the plea.
Earlier Defamation Case Adds Context To Ravi Nair Plea
Once the Bench indicated its disinclination, Grover sought interim protection from coercive action. He asked for that relief until Nair could move the High Court.
The Court declined that request. It noted that the option of e-filing was available.
Background of Earlier Defamation Proceedings
The matter comes in the backdrop of other proceedings against Nair. Adani Enterprise Limited had earlier filed a criminal defamation case against him. It alleged that Nair had published and shared a series of tweets containing false and defamatory statements. According to the complaint, the tweets were intended to harm the reputation of AEL and the Adani Group.
In February, a Gujarat court convicted Nair in that case. The court sentenced him to one year’s imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 5,000.
Judicial First Class Magistrate Damini Dixit held him guilty of criminal defamation under Section 499 of the Indian Penal Code. The court also rejected his defence that the posts amounted to fair comment and legitimate criticism on matters of public concern and governance.
Case Title: Ravi Nair Versus State of Gujarat and Anr.
Case No.: W.P.(Crl.) No. 106/2026
Also Read: Thrissur CJM Drops Food Safety Case Against Xtra Mart
