New Delhi: The Delhi High Court issued notice to Anil Ambani, Live Media & Publishers, and Bennet Coleman on Cobrapost’s plea challenging a trial court order allowing the Reliance Group Chairman to withdraw his defamation suit over allegedly defamatory ₹41,000 crore fraud reporting.
Trial Court Order Ex Facie Illegal: Cobrapost
Justice Rajneesh Kumar Gupta listed the matter for July 13 after petitioner argued December 10, 2025 order violated CPC principles by permitting withdrawal without notice or hearing to defendants (Cobrapost, media outlets).
Trial court rejected Ambani’s ex parte interim injunction application November 17, 2025, mandating defendant hearing before restraints. Ambani subsequently withdrew suit with liberty to refile on same cause—challenged as procedural abuse.
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₹41,000 Crore Fraud Allegation Background
Ambani sued over Cobrapost reporting claiming Reliance companies committed massive fraud. Withdrawal permission without defendant input allegedly circumvents judicial scrutiny, enabling potential forum shopping or evidence preservation issues.
Petitioner contends ex parte order contravenes mandatory hearing requirements before suit withdrawal where defendants’ rights crystallize. Nishaank Mattoo argued substantive prejudice from unilateral procedural closure.
Multi-Defendant Implications
Order impacts Cobrapost.com alongside Live Media & Publishers Pvt Ltd, Bennet Coleman & Co (Times Group). High Court consolidation prevents fragmented litigation across forums while preserving substantive rights.
Ambani’s response will clarify withdrawal rationale, refiling intentions. Cobrapost seeks order set-aside ensuring procedural fairness, defendant participation in future proceedings regardless of plaintiff strategy.
Case highlights plaintiff strategic withdrawals evading defendant defenses, injunction denials. High Court intervention standardizes CPC Order XXIII Rule 1 compliance protecting media respondents from unilateral procedural maneuvers.
Anil Ambani chairs debt-stressed Reliance Group facing multiple creditor litigations. High-profile defamation actions represent reputation defense amid financial restructuring, corporate governance scrutiny.
Cobrapost Journalistic Defense
Portal’s counsel emphasizes public interest reporting on alleged ₹41,000 crore fraud warrants full evidentiary hearing absent plaintiff withdrawal gamesmanship circumventing judicial process safeguards.
Delhi HC adjudication sets precedent governing defamation suit withdrawals post-injunction denial. Defendants’ right to closure hearing becomes mandatory preventing abuse of withdrawal-liberty-to-refile provisions.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
