Delhi Court Transfers Paranjoy Guha Thakurta & Newslaundry's Pleas Against Adani Gag Order To Judge Who Granted Relief To Four Journalists

District judge Sunil Chaudhary of Delhi's Rohini Court has transferred the appeals filed by journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta and digital news platform Newslaundry challenging the ex-parte gag order restraining reporting against Adani, to the same judge who had quashed that order qua four other journalists.

Now, the appeals will first be listed before district and sessions judge and thereafter, will be posted before Judge Ashish Aggarwal, who had granted relief to the four journalists last Thursday.

Judge Ashish Aggarwal was of the view that the allegedly defamatory articles had been in public domain for long and hence, the civil judge ought to have heard the journalists before directing take down of their articles.

"While articles and posts spanning a substantial period were questioned by plaintiff through the suit, the court didn't deem it fit to grant opportunity of hearing to defendants before passing impugned order. In my opinion the civil judge ought to have granted that opportunity before passing an order which had impact of prima facie declaring articles are defamatory and even directing their removal," the judge had said.

Judge Sunil Chaudhary had reserved orders on Guha's plea against the ex-parte gag order on Thursday. However, hours later, Judge Ashish Aggarwal set aside the same order qua four other journalists. It is following this that Judge Chaudhary transferred the matter.

Significant to note that Newslaundry mentioned its appeal before the judge only today. Advocate Bani Dixit appeared for the company.

Senior Advocate Jagdeep Sharma for Adani Enterprises opposed Newslaundry's plea, stating that the company has already approached the High Court and its matter is listed today. However, Dixit claimed that the case before the High Court is on a separate issue.

Senior Advocate Trideep Pais along with Advocate Apar Gupta appeared for Thakurta. The Court ordered that Thakurta's appeal be also heard by Judge Aggarwal.