The complaint was filed with the city crime branch in May over his article in The Washington Post and subsequent posts on social media platform X. Ahmedabad: Justice S J Thaker on Friday recused himself from hearing the anticipatory bail application filed by independent journalist Ravi Nair in connection with an FIR filed by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ).
Nair has sought anticipatory bail, arguing that police have unnecessarily invoked non-bailable charges. He contended that the probe is limited to verifying the authenticity of documents already in the investigating agency’s possession, leaving no possibility of tampering with evidence, absconding or repeating the alleged offence.
Earlier this year, Nair was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment in a separate defamation plaint filed by Adani Group in a Gandhinagar court.
Nair approached the high court through advocate Ronith Joy after a city sessions court rejected his anticipatory bail plea on Oct 23 on the grounds that he has not cooperated with the investigation.
In his petition, Nair has contended that he had remained present before the officer concerned and on multiple occasions addressed communications to the officer showing willingness to join the investigation and cooperate and that there was no question of him being unavailable for investigation.
On receiving an affirmative answer, the judge said, “Not before me.” When the hearing began, Justice Thaker asked whether the case involved allegations of defamation.