Delhi Court Lifts Gag Order Against Journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, Orders Fresh Hearing

A Delhi court lifted its earlier gag order against journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, which had restrained him from reporting on the Adani Group, and directed a fresh hearing. The Court observed that pre-publication censorship impacts free speech and press freedom. It emphasized that any restraint on journalistic work must strictly meet constitutional tests under Article 19(2). The decision is significant in protecting journalists against sweeping injunctions sought by corporates. It balances reputation concerns with press independence, underscoring that defamation claims must be examined carefully without stifling public interest reporting.