Delhi High Court Notices NDTV in Anil Ambani Defamation Case

The Delhi High Court issued a notice to the news channel NDTV on 7 May 2026, as part of a defamation lawsuit filed by businessman Anil Ambani. The case centres around accusations that NDTV produced defamatory reports related to investigations by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against companies associated with Ambani.

Ambani's legal team, led by Advocate Hasan Murtaza, claims that over the past eight months, the channel has published 72 articles targeting him specifically, even though he is not directly involved with the companies under investigation. The plaintiff's counsel argued that the media coverage has unjustly linked Ambani to the actions taken against those entities, thereby tarnishing his reputation.

The businessman suggested that NDTV's reporting is part of a larger strategy by the Adani Group, the majority stakeholder in NDTV, to undermine his businesses. He alleges that the news outlet aims to manipulate public perception and market sentiment to further its own interests. Justice Subramonium Prasad underscored the case's relevance to Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution, which relates to the right to freedom of speech, indicating that more careful consideration is needed before deciding on an interim injunction.

In his lawsuit, Ambani is seeking damages exceeding ₹2 crore, with plans to donate any awarded amount to charitable causes. He named not only NDTV and its CEO Rahul Kanwal in the suit, but also other parties involved, including the news agency IANS, which is under the Adani Group, and multiple NDTV editors.

The court has scheduled further hearings for July as it awaits responses from NDTV and its parent company AMG Media Networks Limited. The situation illustrates the ongoing tension between media and business interests in India, raising questions about the balance between freedom of expression and the right to reputation in reporting.

Ambani's argument against NDTV’s headlines targets specific instances where his name was associated with cases involving his companies. He pointed to instances where assets were reportedly attached in cases linked to Reliance, arguing that such headlines mischaracterise the situation by conflating his identity with that of the companies under investigation.

The case will continue to unfold as both sides prepare for upcoming hearings, marking another chapter in the complex relationship between media coverage and corporate reputation in India.