Moneylife Challenges Indiabulls Defamation Order in Delhi HC
Moneywise Media challenges a district court order in a defamation suit filed by Indiabulls and Sameer Gehlaut regarding a report on SC proceedings.
Moneywise Media LLP, the publisher behind the financial news portal Moneylife, has approached the Delhi High Court to challenge an interim order issued by a district court. This legal move comes in the wake of a defamation suit filed by Indiabulls Nests Ltd and Sameer Gehlaut, targeting various publications and online content.
The Root of the Conflict
The dispute centers on a report published by Moneylife on May 8, 2025, titled “SC Asks ED, RBI To Submit Status Report on Indiabulls Investigation”. According to the appeal, this report was a factual account of a hearing that took place before the Supreme Court, detailing the directions issued during those judicial proceedings.
Moneywise Media has emphasized that the report did not make independent claims but instead attributed the allegations to the court proceedings. Furthermore, the publisher asserts that they included the company’s denial within the report to maintain balance and accuracy.
Contesting the District Court's Order
The appeal targets an order passed on October 24 by the Principal District and Sessions Judge at Patiala House Courts. This interim order imposed several restrictions on the defendants, which included:
- A restraint on publishing any content deemed false, misleading, or defamatory concerning the plaintiffs.
- Directions regarding the deletion and de-indexing of specific online links.
Moneywise Media argues that this order was passed without providing them with a prior notice or an opportunity to be heard, raising concerns over the legality of the process.
What Moneylife is Seeking from the High Court
The publisher has raised significant objections to the broad scope of the interim directions. In its appeal to the Delhi High Court, Moneywise Media has sought the following:
- A Stay Order: A complete stay on the operation of the October 24 order as it applies to Moneywise.
- Protection of Content: In the alternative, protection against the forced removal or de-indexing of the May 2025 report.
- Freedom to Report: Protection against restrictions on reporting future judicial or official proceedings involving the plaintiffs.
- Prevention of Coercive Action: A request that no coercive measures be taken against the publisher while the appeal is pending.
The original suit was wide-reaching, naming multiple defendants including journalists, website operators, intermediaries, and other publishers in relation to various online materials and publications.