Adani bribery case: Delhi court issues summons to media houses in Jagan’s Rs 100 crore defamation suit

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has issued a summons in a defamation suit filed by former CM and YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, seeking a permanent injunction, mandatory injunction, and Rs 100 crores in damages against certain media houses.

What is the case about?

The case pertains to defamatory articles linking him to indictment proceedings involving the Adani Group in the United States.

After the US Securities and Exchange Commission accused the Adani Group of bribing Jagan during his term as chief minister, among others, to the tune of $200 million (Rs 1,750 crores), the YSR Congress Party has refuted all the allegations. Jagan was accused of taking bribes from the Adani Group for a solar power supply deal. YSR Congress insists it got all the approvals, denies wrongdoing, and says the deal will benefit the State in the long term.

According to the indictment by the US court, prosecutors claim that the Adani Group concealed this transaction from the US banks and investors while raising billions of dollars for its renewable energy projects. The renewable energy company is accused of raising over $3 billion in loans and bonds during this period by making ‘false and misleading statements.’

‘No third party in power purchase agreement’

In a recent press meeting, Jagan said that during the deals between SECI and AP Discoms, there is no third party in the power purchase agreement with Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd (SECI).

Lashing against the reports coming about him in some vernacular dailies, Jagan, at that time, said, “I would be serving defamation notices to Eenadu and Andhra Jyothi, who are working for the TDP, and for distorting the facts and publishing stories. I will sue them for Rs 100 crores.”

Senior advocate Dayan Krishnan, along with advocates Amit Agrawal, Sahil Raveen and Rahul Kukreja, represented YS Jagan. They argued that the articles were baseless and defamatory, as the US indictment referenced in the publications did not name him, nor was any notice of the indictment received.

Summons sent to media houses

The court issued summons in the main suit to media houses Andhra Jyothi and Eenadu, a notice on the interim application to take down the articles and put the defendants on notice, warning that further publications would carry legal consequences.

The next hearing was posted to December 16.