LuLu Group has ruled out withdrawing defamation cases filed against individuals accused of circulating false allegations about the company and its chairman, M.A. Yusuff Ali, saying public apologies from those involved will not affect its legal position.
Nandakumar, Director of Global Marketing and Communications at LuLu Group, told Khaleej Times that the company has full confidence in the Indian judicial system and will pursue all available legal remedies.
"This is not about silencing criticism. It is about protecting the truth," Nandakumar said.
Legal Action Across Three States
The group has initiated legal proceedings in courts across Kerala, Lucknow and Delhi against individuals it accuses of spreading fake news and malicious allegations. Nandakumar said the company would neither retreat from its position nor withdraw the cases.
The legal action follows a defamation suit filed by Yusuff Ali seeking Rs100 million (approximately Dh4 million) in damages for reputational harm.
The Delhi High Court had earlier directed the editor of an online Malayalam news portal to remove allegedly defamatory material concerning the LuLu chairman. It also restrained the individual from making further comments about Yusuff Ali on any platform. A separate defamation case was filed before the Ernakulam Sub Court in Kerala.
The individual concerned issued a public apology in late October, admitting that his remarks were incorrect and withdrawing the allegations. The comments were connected to a gold smuggling case and had appeared in a video published in November 2020.
Nandakumar told Khaleej Times that the apology was a personal matter for the individual and would not alter the group's decision to continue with the legal proceedings. He also ruled out any out-of-court settlement.
He questioned claims surrounding the recording of an apology and reiterated that the company would pursue the matter through the courts.
"We will not allow even a grain of false allegation against the brand or the chairman," he said.
Nandakumar also criticised the role of social media engagement, saying likes, clicks and shares were driving the circulation of allegations and misinformation.
'Not Just a Business'
Emphasising the organisation's wider responsibilities, Nandakumar said LuLu was more than a commercial enterprise, describing it as a home for more than 75,000 employees.
The group had built its reputation over several decades through trust, integrity and hard work, he said, adding that these values remained central to its identity.
He said the company welcomed fair criticism and differing opinions but would not allow deliberate falsehoods or malicious attacks on its reputation to go unchallenged.
The group also reiterated its respect for freedom of speech and the public's right to express opinions, question decisions and criticise its activities. However, it distinguished legitimate criticism from the deliberate circulation of fake news, false allegations and misinformation intended to damage its reputation.
"We have zero tolerance for any such attempts to malign the reputation of LuLu, our organisation or our Chairman," Nandakumar said.
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