UAE-based retailer LuLu Group has said it will not withdraw legal cases against individuals accused of making false and defamatory allegations against its chairman, M A Yusuff Ali, despite a public apology by Malayalam journalist Shajan Skariah.
V Nandakumar, Director of Global Marketing and Communications at LuLu Group, reaffirmed the company’s position in a video post on LinkedIn, saying none of the cases would be withdrawn.
“None of the cases we have backtracked or we have withdrawn. We haven’t pulled back from them, nor will we ever pull back,” Nandakumar said.
He said the group respected freedom of expression and everyone’s right to question, disagree and criticise. However, he stressed that it would not tolerate false allegations against its brand, organisation or chairman.
Nandakumar said the group had legal teams across India and other countries, with around 27 to 28 members handling legal matters. He confirmed that cases filed in Thiruvananthapuram, before the Kerala High Court, Lucknow and Delhi remained active.
He also highlighted the company’s responsibility towards its more than 75,000 employees, saying its reputation was linked to their livelihoods, dedication and decades of trust.
In the accompanying LinkedIn caption, Nandakumar summed up the group’s position with the words “Zero Tolerance. No Compromise.” He added that freedom of speech must go hand in hand with accountability for deliberate misinformation.
In a subsequent interview with Khaleej Times, Nandakumar said the group had complete faith in the Indian judicial system and would pursue every legal remedy available.
“This is not about silencing criticism. It is about protecting the truth,” he said.
Yusuff Ali’s defamation case against Shajan Skariah
One of the legal disputes involves Shajan Skariah, founder of the Malayalam digital news platform Marunadan Malayalee, who issued an apology to Yusuff Ali in a video published on October 31.
Skariah apologised to Yusuff Ali, saying he had realised his earlier remarks were incorrect and was withdrawing them. He clarified that he had not intended to personally insult, abuse or humiliate the LuLu Group chairman.
The case was filed by Yusuff Ali over a video published on November 21, 2020, which allegedly linked him to the gold smuggling case involving the UAE Consulate in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
The defamation suit sought Rs 10 crore in compensation, removal of the disputed content, a public apology and a retraction in The Times of India. It also sought details of earnings from the content.
On May 26, 2023, the Delhi High Court granted interim relief to Yusuff Ali. Justice Chandra Dhari Singh directed Skariah to remove the specified content within 24 hours and restrained him from making further comments about the businessman until the next hearing.
Founded by Yusuff Ali, LuLu Group International is a UAE-based conglomerate with interests in retail, shopping malls, food processing, wholesale distribution and hospitality. It employs more than 75,000 people worldwide.
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Source: The Siasat Daily
