Journalist convicted of defaming a conglomerate over tweets jailed for a week, then granted bail
A Mansa magistrate convicted a journalist of criminal defamation in February 2026 over tweets and articles about Adani Enterprises and sentenced him to one year. During his appeal a Gandhinagar sessions court issued a non-bailable warrant for non-appearance and he was taken into custody on 17 September 2026. The Gujarat High Court refused interim relief on 23 September, and the sessions court granted him bail on 24 September.
This page records what the cited court records and reports say happened. Findings belong to the court or authority that made them; this register adds none of its own. Names of private individuals are withheld unless a naming gate clears them.
How we verify →Out on bail from 24 September 2026; his appeal against the conviction and his High Court plea against the warrant are pending.
What happened
LiveLaw reported that the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Mansa convicted the journalist of defamation on 10 February 2026 and sentenced him to one year's simple imprisonment and a Rs 5,000 fine, on a complaint by Adani Enterprises Ltd over tweets.
The Hindu reported that the appellate sessions court suspended the sentence on 9 March 2026 on condition that he attend the appeal hearings, then issued a non-bailable warrant for non-appearance and he was taken into custody on 17 September 2026.
The Gujarat High Court issued notice on his plea against the warrant and custody on 19 September 2026 and, LiveLaw reported, reserved its verdict and refused interim release on 23 September.
The Hindu reported that the Principal District and Sessions Judge, Gandhinagar granted him bail on 24 September 2026.
What the record says
“Considering the submissions advanced by learned advocate, let Notice be issued, making it returnable on 21.09.2026.”
Gujarat High Court, R/SCR.A/13853/2026, order dated 19.09.2026, para 4 — read the full text
Punished for a freedom
A journalist was convicted and jailed under criminal defamation law over tweets and articles criticising a business group, with no allegation of violence or threats.
What we could not confirm
The trial-court judgment was not located; conviction details are from LiveLaw and The Hindu. The complainant is a company.