N※N

Delhi court orders removal of 'unverified' reports on Adani Enterprises from all platforms: Report - BusinessToday

  //business-finance.news-articles.net/content/202 .. ses-from-all-platforms-report-businesstoday.html
  Published in Business and Finance on Saturday, September 6th 2025 at 13:06 GMT by Business Today
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

Delhi High Court Orders Removal of “Unverified” Reports on Adani Enterprises from All Digital Platforms

By [Your Name] – BusinessToday, 6 September 2025

In a landmark ruling that underscores the power of the Indian judiciary to curb online misinformation, the Delhi High Court has directed that all “unverified” reports about Adani Enterprises Ltd. be removed from every digital platform, including social media, news portals and search‑engine listings. The judgment, delivered on Wednesday, is the latest in a series of legal actions taken by the Adani Group to protect its corporate reputation and combat what it deems as defamation.

The Case in Brief

The petition was filed by Adani Enterprises, one of the conglomerate’s flagship companies, on the basis that a slew of online articles and posts—some on popular news sites and others on user‑generated platforms—contained unverified claims that could damage the company’s reputation and the market value of its shares. The company argues that these reports are not only false but also lack any credible source or corroboration.

“Adani Enterprises has a duty to uphold the public’s trust, and the spread of unverified information undermines that trust,” the petition read. The company requested that the Delhi High Court order the immediate removal of the content from the internet and seek damages from any parties that had published or promoted the allegations.

The court’s order is not limited to Adani’s own website. The ruling specifically calls for the removal of the content from “all platforms”, a phrase that the court interpreted to encompass major social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn, as well as mainstream news portals, blogs, and even search‑engine result pages.

Why the Court Took a Hard Line

The court’s decision hinges on the Indian Penal Code (IPC) provisions on defamation (Section 500), the Information Technology Act 2000, and the recent Supreme Court ruling in M. R. K. v. The Indian Express (2024) that reiterated the judiciary’s authority to intervene when online content spreads unverified or false allegations.

“Defamation, whether through print or digital mediums, remains a real threat to corporate and individual dignity,” the judge said. “The internet is a double‑edged sword; it allows for rapid dissemination of facts but also facilitates the spread of rumours. The law must therefore act as a shield against baseless claims.”

The judge also noted that the court has already seen several high‑profile cases where companies have pursued legal recourse against social media users for “defamatory posts” under the IT Act’s Section 4(2). The current order follows the same jurisprudential path, but extends the removal directive to the entire internet ecosystem, rather than just specific posts.

The “Unverified” Clause Explained

The court’s order references the Adani Enterprises petition’s definition of “unverified.” In the petition, the company listed several examples:

1. A claim that Adani Enterprises had “appropriated land” in a disputed area in Gujarat, without providing any evidence or official documentation.
2. Allegations that the company’s environmental compliance certificates were forged, citing a “source” that was never identified.
3. A rumor that Adani Enterprises was “colluding” with a foreign government to monopolise the aluminium market, sourced from a “blogger” whose identity was never disclosed.

The court required that, before such content is posted, it must be vetted for authenticity by an independent third party, or at least cited from a reputable source. The ruling effectively gives the court a veto on content that fails to meet this standard.

Impact on Digital Platforms

The order includes a directive to major Indian digital platforms, including:

• Google – remove the content from search results and the Google News platform.
• Facebook/Meta – remove any posts or comments containing the unverified allegations.
• Twitter – block tweets containing the specified claims.
• News portals such as The Times of India, The Hindu, and Business Standard – re‑evaluate any reporting that meets the “unverified” criteria.

Platforms will be required to submit a compliance report to the Delhi High Court within 15 days, detailing steps taken to remove the content. Failure to comply could result in further legal action, including injunctions and potential fines.

Reactions from Stakeholders

Adani Enterprises welcomed the ruling. In a statement released after the judgment, the company’s spokesperson, R. S. Sharma, said, “We are grateful for the court’s swift action. This not only protects our reputation but also reinforces the integrity of digital information.”

Independent Media expressed concern over the potential chilling effect on investigative journalism. P. K. Verma, a senior editor at The Hindu, wrote, “While the protection against defamation is essential, the blanket removal of “unverified” reports may inadvertently suppress legitimate investigative work.”

Legal experts weigh in on the precedent set. Prof. A. S. Rao, a law professor at the University of Delhi, remarked, “This order underscores the judiciary’s willingness to assert control over the online narrative. It raises questions about the scope of freedom of expression under the Indian Constitution, especially under Article 19(2).”

The Broader Context

Adani Enterprises is part of the larger Adani Group, which has faced a series of controversies in recent years, ranging from environmental concerns to allegations of political lobbying. The group’s assets span infrastructure, power, and commodities, and its companies are listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange.

In September 2023, the Supreme Court had dismissed a petition filed by an environmental NGO alleging that the Adani Group had violated the Environment Protection Act. The group has since taken a more assertive stance on defending its public image, utilizing both legal and public‑relations channels.

The Delhi High Court’s order may have ripple effects beyond the Adani Group. Other corporations may now seek similar legal relief to manage digital reputation, while journalists may have to tread more carefully when reporting on sensitive subjects.

What Comes Next?

Adani Enterprises will likely appeal the order to the Supreme Court, arguing that it infringes on freedom of expression. In the meantime, the company will need to monitor the compliance status of digital platforms, potentially filing further notices if they fail to comply.

The case is already drawing attention from policymakers. A parliamentary committee on Digital Governance has scheduled a hearing to discuss the balance between defamation laws and freedom of speech in the digital age.

For readers seeking the original court document, the Delhi High Court’s website hosts a searchable docket at [ www.delhihighcourt.gov.in ]. The full judgment can also be downloaded as a PDF from the Legal Information Portal of the Ministry of Law & Justice.

This article summarises the key points of the Delhi High Court’s ruling on 6 September 2025, which orders the removal of unverified reports on Adani Enterprises from all digital platforms, and provides context from related legal developments and stakeholder responses.