Reliance Group Chairman Anil Ambani has filed a defamation suit against Cobrapost, The Economic Times, The Times of India, and their publisher Bennett Coleman & Company Limited (BCCL) over reports alleging that his group companies were involved in a financial fraud worth ₹41,921 crore. The case has been filed before the Karkardooma Courts in Delhi.
The matter came up for hearing before Senior Civil Judge Vivek Beniwal, where Ambani’s legal team sought an ex parte ad interim injunction — a one-sided temporary restraining order — against the media organisations. The court has reserved its order, which will be pronounced on November 17.
Background of the Allegations
On October 30, Cobrapost published a detailed report alleging that companies under the Reliance Group, led by Anil Ambani, had diverted funds worth over ₹41,921 crore since 2006. The report claimed that the money was moved between group entities in violation of financial regulations and corporate norms.
The allegations were subsequently reported and cited by several major publications, including The Economic Times and The Times of India, giving the story wider public visibility.
Ambani’s Contention
In his plea, Anil Ambani has argued that the reports have severely damaged his reputation and have caused “irreparable harm” to public trust and investor confidence.
Ambani’s petition states that Cobrapost and the associated publications published false and unsubstantiated claims without proper verification or factual basis, “with the sole intent to sensationalize and malign.”
He has requested the court to restrain the defendants from publishing or circulating any further material related to these allegations until the matter is adjudicated.
Defendants Named in the Suit
As per court records, the following have been made parties to the case:
- 1. Cobrapost.com
- 2. Bennett Coleman & Company Limited (BCCL) – Publishers of The Economic Times and The Times of India
- 3. Live Media & Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
- 4. John Doe (Unnamed Defendants) – Representing individuals or entities that may further disseminate defamatory content.
Legal Representation
Anil Ambani was represented by Senior Advocate Vijay Aggarwal, along with a team of lawyers including Naman Joshi, Guneet Sidhu, Rahul, Verdan Jain, Muskan Aggarwal, Rajat Jain, and Yash Aggarwal.
What Happens Next
The court’s November 17 order will decide whether an interim injunction will be granted against the media houses, temporarily restraining them from reporting or publishing further on the matter.
The defamation case has already sparked debate across corporate and media circles, raising fresh questions about the balance between media freedom and corporate accountability in India’s high-stakes business environment.
