Gujarat High Court
Ahmedabad: Gujarat High Court on Wednesday refused interim relief to journalist Ravi Nair, who sought release from jail, and posted his petition for cancellation of a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against him on Sept 30. Nair was sentenced to one-year imprisonment and sent to judicial custody by a Gandhinagar sessions court on Sept 17 after he appeared before it following issuance of an arrest warrant for skipping a hearing on Sept 3. The HC issued notice to the state govt and Adani Enterprises , on whose defamation complaint Nair was convicted by a JMFC court in Mansa on Feb 10.
Justice M K Thakker, however, said, “The matter was fully heard and it is kept for the final order and no interim relief is required to be granted. The HC also questioned why it was not informed about the filing of the bail plea before sessions court. After the hearing concluded, Nair’s advocate Abhik Chimni again sought interim relief. Nair had been granted bail by Gandhinagar sessions court, on the condition that he attend the proceedings. Nair’s advocates argued that the sessions court was not justified in issuing an NBW directly without first issuing a summons or bailable warrant. Adani’s counsel opposed the plea.
The sessions court has not taken a decision on the application, apparently in view of the pendency of Nair’s petition before the HC. His application seeking exemption from appearance had earlier been rejected. During the hearing, HC was informed that Nair had filed a regular bail application before Gandhinagar sessions court on Saturday. He had approached the HC and was granted a hearing on Saturday evening.