Jagran Prakashan Limited (JPL), a prominent media company, finds itself embroiled in a legal dispute as its Non-Executive Director, Shailendra Mohan Gupta, has filed a company petition against the firm. The petition, filed under Sections 241-242 and 244 of the Companies Act, 2013, also names JPL's holding company, Jagran Media Network Investment Private Limited (JMNIPL), and other members of the Gupta Family who comprise the Promoters/Promoters Group.

Legal Proceedings

The company petition, titled "Shailendra Mohan Gupta & Ors. v. & Ors.," has been served to Jagran Prakashan Limited. While the exact details of the dispute remain undisclosed, the nature of the sections invoked suggests concerns related to corporate governance and shareholder rights.

In a parallel development, a separate company application (C.A. No. 19 of 2025) has been filed in the matter titled "Mahendra Mohan Gupta and Ors. v. Devendra Mohan Gupta and Ors., C.P. No. 64 of 2023." This application challenges resolutions passed by the majority directors in JMNIPL and the appointment of an Administrator in the holding company.

Hearing Dates and Potential Impact

As of now, the company petition filed by Shailendra Mohan Gupta has not been listed for hearing. However, the company application is scheduled for a hearing on September 24, 2025, at 2:30 p.m.

Jagran Prakashan Limited has stated that the outcome of the petition and its financial impact on the company cannot be anticipated at this stage. The claims made in the petition are primarily in the nature of injunctive and declaratory relief, making it difficult to quantify the potential financial implications.

Company's Response

In compliance with regulatory requirements, Jagran Prakashan Limited has made the necessary disclosures under Regulation 30 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015. The company has committed to providing further updates when there are material developments in the proceedings.

Amit Jaiswal, Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary of Jagran Prakashan Limited, signed off on the regulatory filing, assuring stakeholders that the information will be available on the company's corporate website as well as on the websites of the National Stock Exchange of India Limited and BSE Limited.

As this legal challenge unfolds, investors and industry observers will be closely watching for any developments that could impact the operations or governance structure of Jagran Prakashan Limited and its holding company.

Jagran Prakashan Limited (JPL), the publisher of India's largest read newspaper 'Dainik Jagran', has reported a 7.5% year-on-year increase in operating revenue for the first quarter. The company's financial results, released on July 29, highlight its strategic focus on growth across print, digital, and events businesses, while managing challenges in its radio segment.

Financial Highlights

• Standalone operating revenue rose to Rs 398.13 crores, up from Rs 370.45 crores in the same quarter of the previous year.
• Advertisement revenue saw a significant jump of 11.7%, reaching Rs 252.64 crores.
• Digital revenue grew by 17.5% to Rs 17.64 crores, reflecting the company's expanding digital presence.
• Operating profit increased by 11.4% to Rs 64.70 crores.
• Profit After Tax (PAT) surged by 62% to Rs 71.35 crores.

Strategic Focus and Business Performance

Jagran Prakashan has outlined a multi-pronged approach to drive growth and profitability:

1. Print Business: The company is working on boosting circulation numbers and implementing cost control measures. The print segment, including Dainik Jagran, showed strong performance with a 10% increase in advertisement revenue.

2. Digital Expansion: JPL is investing in various digital platforms to support future growth. The digital business, while currently operating at a loss, saw a 5% increase in revenue, reaching Rs 23.37 crores.

3. Events and Outdoor Advertising: This segment registered strong growth in operating profit, up by 11% year-on-year. The company sees potential for this segment to become a meaningful value creator in the future.

4. Radio Business Challenges: The company acknowledged poor performance in its radio business segment, Music Broadcast Limited (MBL). MBL reported a 17% decline in operating revenue, dropping to Rs 49.32 crores from Rs 59.60 crores in the same quarter of the previous year.

Management Commentary

Mahendra Mohan Gupta, Non-Executive Chairman of Jagran Prakashan, stated, "Our focus on enhancing our print product, expanding our digital footprint, and diversifying into events and outdoor advertising is yielding positive results. While we face challenges in the radio segment, our core print and digital businesses are showing robust growth."

Dividend Announcement

The Board of Directors approved an interim dividend of Rs 6 per equity share (300% on face value of Rs 2 per share) for the financial year ending March 31.

Future Outlook

Jagran Prakashan remains committed to its growth strategy, particularly in strengthening its digital presence and improving profitability across segments. The company's initiatives to drive circulation growth in the print business are expected to show results in the coming quarters.

As the media landscape continues to evolve, JPL's multi-platform approach positions it to capitalize on opportunities in both traditional and digital media spaces, while addressing challenges in specific segments like radio broadcasting.