Five journalists, including Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, have filed an appeal in a Delhi district court challenging a recent order that restrained them from publishing reports about the Adani Group. The appeal comes in response to an ex-parte injunction granted by Special Civil Judge Anuj Kumar Singh of the Rohini court in favor of Adani Enterprises Ltd .

Background of the Case

The original court order found the journalists' reports to be defamatory and unverified. It directed the removal of content from three websites within five days and allowed Adani Enterprises to share allegedly defamatory material with intermediaries for access restriction.

Adani's Arguments

Adani Enterprises argued that repeated negative coverage, including references to the Hindenburg report, had:

• Damaged the company's reputation
• Delayed projects
• Eroded investor confidence
• Hurt global fundraising efforts

Next Steps

The district court has scheduled a hearing on the appeal for the following day. This case highlights the ongoing tension between corporate interests and press freedom in India, particularly concerning coverage of major business conglomerates.

Implications for Press Freedom

The outcome of this appeal could have significant implications for journalism in India, especially regarding the reporting on large corporations and their activities. It raises questions about the balance between protecting corporate reputations and maintaining the media's role in public scrutiny.

Adani Enterprises' Recent Activities

While the legal battle unfolds, Adani Enterprises continues its regular business operations. According to a recent LODR (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) filing, the company is actively engaging with its shareholders. Adani Enterprises has launched a 100-day campaign called "Saksham Niveshak" to reach out to shareholders with unpaid or unclaimed dividends.

The campaign aims to:

• Create awareness among shareholders
• Encourage updates of KYC (Know Your Customer) information
• Promote shareholder engagement
• Prevent the transfer of unpaid/unclaimed dividends to the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF)

This initiative demonstrates the company's efforts to maintain transparent communication with its investors, even as it faces legal challenges regarding media coverage.

As the appeal progresses through the court system, both the journalistic community and corporate sector will be closely watching the outcome, which could set a precedent for future cases involving media reporting on corporate affairs in India.

Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL), the flagship company of the Adani Group, has been awarded a significant infrastructure project that promises to transform pilgrimage travel to one of India's most revered shrines. The company has received a Letter of Award (LoA) from the National Highways Logistics Management Ltd. (NHLML) for the construction of a ropeway connecting Sonprayag to Kedarnath.

Project Details

The ambitious project, valued at ₹4,081.00 crore, will be executed by AEL's Roads, Metro, Rail, and Water (RMRW) division. The 12.9 km ropeway is set to dramatically reduce travel time for pilgrims, cutting the journey from a strenuous 8-9 hour trek to a mere 36 minutes.

Key features of the project include:

• Capacity to transport 1,800 passengers per hour in each direction
• Total project duration of 6 years for construction
• 29-year operational period for AEL post-construction
• Development under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model
• Revenue-sharing agreement with NHLML

Impact on Pilgrimage and Tourism

The Kedarnath ropeway project is expected to have a significant impact on religious tourism in the region. Kedarnath, which currently receives approximately 20 lakh pilgrims annually, will become more accessible to devotees. This improved accessibility is likely to boost tourism and create new employment opportunities in Uttarakhand.

Strategic Importance

For Adani Enterprises, this project marks its entry into the ropeway sector, expanding its infrastructure portfolio. The project aligns with the National Ropeways Development Programme – Parvatmala Pariyojana, showcasing the company's involvement in key national infrastructure initiatives.

Executive Commentary

Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, emphasized the project's significance beyond its engineering aspects. He stated, "The Kedarnath ropeway is more than an engineering project – it is a bridge between devotion and modern infrastructure. By making this sacred journey safer, faster and more accessible, we honour the faith of millions while creating new opportunities for Uttarakhand's people through our partnership with NHLML and the Government of Uttarakhand."

Company Background

Adani Enterprises Limited has a track record of incubating and developing infrastructure businesses across various sectors. The company has previously built and divested successful entities in ports, energy solutions, power generation, green energy, and natural gas distribution. AEL's current focus areas include green hydrogen ecosystem, airport management, data centers, roads, and primary industries such as copper and petrochemicals.

In the roads and highways sector, AEL has built a portfolio of 14 projects covering over 5,000 lane kilometers since its entry in 2018. The company works on projects driven by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), and other central and state authorities.

The Kedarnath ropeway project represents a significant milestone in AEL's infrastructure development journey, combining technological advancement with cultural and religious significance.