Today, On 16th May, The Bombay High Court invalidated a malicious campaign targeting the Malabar Group. Ruling in favour of the conglomerate, the court deemed the campaign defamatory and baseless. This legal decision serves as a reminder of the repercussions of spreading false information and upholds the importance of responsible communication in the business realm.
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court, On Thursday, delivered a strong judgment against individuals who involved in defaming and spreading false information about Malabar Group’s scholarship program. The program had provided educational scholarships to 77,000 underprivileged girl students across the country.
In response to the defamation, the Court granted immediate relief to Malabar Gold Limited by ordering the removal of defamatory content from the defendant’s Twitter handle and restraining the individual from making any further defamatory statements. Additionally, the Court instructed social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and META Platforms Inc. to delete any posts or comments related to the defamatory content. Furthermore, the Court prohibited the uploading of similar content from specified URLs in the future.
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The Court admonished the defendant for focusing on a single photo that depicted the awarding of scholarships to girls of a specific community, thereby neglecting the larger goal of promoting girls’ education. The Court stressed that this selective sharing is detrimental to the Malabar Group’s reputation and goodwill, potentially fostering societal divisions. Furthermore, the Court noted that the deliberate spread of false information across social media platforms a targeted attempt to damage the reputation of the Malabar Group.
Malabar Gold Limited is a well known company that specializes in the manufacturing and retailing of jewellery, including gold, silver, precious stones, diamonds, and premium watches. It operates under the brand name “Malabar Gold & Diamonds.”
The court highlighted the commendable philanthropic efforts of Malabar Group, particularly their commitment to providing scholarships to young girls without any discrimination based on caste, creed, or religion. The scholarships awarded solely based on the girls’ talent and potential, disregarding their religious or caste affiliations, as recognized by the court.
Furthermore, the court acknowledged the significant Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives undertaken by the Malabar Group. These include the provision of scholarships to more than 77,000 girls across the nation and substantial spending amounting to Rs. 246 crore on various social welfare activities, with a notable focus on women’s empowerment.
The presiding judge of the Bombay High Court emphasized that the defendants’ actions have caused damage to the esteemed global brand, Malabar Group, which renowned for its philanthropic initiatives aimed at helping the underprivileged and marginalized. The court’s decision highlighted the Group’s continuous charitable endeavours for the betterment of society. In the legal proceedings, the Malabar Group represented by a team of experienced lawyers led by Karl Tamboli.
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MP Ahammed, Chairman of Malabar Group, declared,
“Bombay High Court delivered a firm verdict against individuals who slander socially beneficial initiatives and exploit them for spreading hatred. Malabar Group will intensify measures against those engaged in such misconduct.”
Malabar Gold & Diamonds serves as the flagship company for the esteemed Malabar Group, a prominent and diverse Indian business enterprise. Since its inception in 1993 in Kerala, Malabar Gold & Diamonds established a robust retail presence, encompassing over 350 stores spanning across 13 countries.
Additionally, the company operates 14 wholesale units, along with offices, design centers, and factories situated in various locations such as India, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Middle East, and the Far East. Boasting an impressive annual turnover of Rs, 5.2 billion, the company currently holds the 6th position among the world’s largest jewellery retailers.