New Delhi, May 22, 2025 — In a significant verdict upholding press freedom, the Delhi High Court has rejected a contempt petition filed by the Vantara Project, led by Anant Ambani, against the media outlet Himal Southasian. The petition was based on a report investigating alleged mistreatment of elephants and irregularities in their transfer to the Vantara facility.
The contempt plea was submitted by two Reliance-linked organizations — Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre Society and the Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust. They alleged that Himal and its editor violated a court order by not removing a critical article published in March 2024.
However, Justice Anish Dayal dismissed the case, noting that the court had never issued any such directive requiring Himal to take down the article.
Allegations of Legal Intimidation
The report, authored by investigative journalist M. Rajshekhar, raised concerns about how elephants were sourced and cared for under the Vantara project. In response, the petitioners approached the court, but Himal’s legal team argued that it was a SLAPP suit — a strategic lawsuit intended to intimidate and silence critical journalism.
Senior advocate Vrinda Grover, representing Himal Southasian, stated, “This was an attempt to misuse legal procedures to suppress legitimate reporting. The court saw through the strategy.”
A Win for Independent Journalism
Following the ruling, Roman Gautam, editor of Himal Southasian, welcomed the verdict as a win for democratic values and journalistic independence. “This isn’t just a victory for us — it reaffirms the role of the press in holding the powerful accountable,” he said.
The original article remains live on Himal’s website, reinforcing the principle that factual, public-interest journalism must not be censored — regardless of corporate pressure.