A Gandhinagar court has issued summons for journalists Abhisar Sharma and Raju Parulekar to appear in person on September 20. This follows criminal defamation complaints lodged against them by the Adani Group.
The prominent business conglomerate has accused Mr. Sharma, a well-known YouTuber, and Mr. Parulekar, an active blogger, of deliberately disseminating false and damaging information aimed at harming its esteemed reputation.
According to a statement released by the Adani Group, the Court of Judicial Magistrate First Class in Gandhinagar, P.S. Adalaj, has formally issued notices to both individuals, mandating their presence in court on September 20.
The group’s complaints are filed under sections 356 (1, 2 and 3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. These sections correspond to the Indian Penal Code’s sections 499, 500, and 501, which deal with defamation.
The allegations specifically highlight a YouTube video uploaded by Sharma on August 18, 2025. This video claimed that thousands of bighas of land in Assam were allocated to Adani, linking the company to alleged political favors. Additionally, the complaints cite a series of tweets and retweets by Parulekar, dating back to January 2025, which made similar accusations of land grabs, scams, and undue benefits, as per the group’s release.
The Adani Group, however, has vehemently denied these accusations, branding them as “baseless and misleading.” The group emphasized that a Gauhati High Court order from August 12, 2025, which the respondents cited, contains no mention whatsoever of the business conglomerate.
Furthermore, the company clarified that Mahabal Cement Pvt Ltd, the entity central to the High Court case mentioned, has absolutely no association or connection with the Adani Group.
The evidence presented in court includes Mr. Sharma’s YouTube video and its transcript, Mr. Parulekar’s social media posts, the relevant Gauhati High Court order, and other supporting documentation.
Should the cases be admitted, they could proceed to trial. If found guilty, both journalists could face penalties ranging from imprisonment of up to two years, fines, or a combination of both, as outlined in the group’s statement.