# Legal actions against Modi-Adani documentary

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/legal-actions-against-modi-adani-documentary
> Updated: 2026-10-26T20:19:02.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 2.

A documentary titled ‘The Friendship Files: How Modi and Adani Stole India’, produced by Sabeer Bhatia, has faced significant legal and administrative restrictions in India. The film alleges close ties between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and industrialist Gautam Adani, claiming the Indian industrial landscape is being monopolized by the Adani Group.

Initially, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray removed the documentary from his social media platforms following a request from the Mumbai Police commissioner. Thackeray stated he complied out of respect for the force but maintained that his goal of highlighting the issue of monopolies had been met.

Subsequently, the Calcutta High Court issued an interim injunction barring the publication, uploading, and sharing of the video until January 31, 2027. Justice Aryak Dutt characterized the film as a ‘dramatised narrative’ rather than a news report, noting that its title ‘insinuates theft’ and contains unverified allegations against the Adani Group. The court order requires social media platforms to remove the video and its excerpts, while also mandating the preservation of subscriber and access logs.

## Claims

- The Calcutta High Court barred the circulation of the documentary until January 31, 2027. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Adani Enterprises Limited filed a defamation suit against Sabeer Bhatia. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The documentary is titled ‘The Friendship Files: How Modi and Adani Stole India’. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Justice Aryak Dutt described the video as a dramatised narrative rather than a news report. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The court ordered YouTube, X, and Instagram to remove the video and disable access to specific URLs. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The video contains allegations of complicity in narcotics smuggling and terror funding. (single source)
- Social media platforms must preserve subscriber details and IP access logs for the identified accounts. (single source)
- The court noted that the original video had been disabled previously but was re-uploaded by Bhatia. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-26: Calcutta High Court bars circulation of Modi-Adani documentary

The Calcutta High Court has banned the circulation of a documentary alleging close ties between PM Modi and Gautam Adani, labeling it a dramatised narrative with unsubstantiated claims.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/calcutta-high-court-bars-circulation-of-modi-adani-documentary

### 2026-10-25: Raj Thackeray deletes documentary on Adani-Modi ties

MNS chief Raj Thackeray deleted a documentary alleging close ties between PM Modi and Gautam Adani after a request from the Mumbai Police, citing opposition to industrial monopolies.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/raj-thackeray-deletes-documentary-on-adani-modi-ties

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Cite as: Legal actions against Modi-Adani documentary. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/legal-actions-against-modi-adani-documentary