Mumbai, October 29, 2025:
Reliance Infrastructure Limited has come out strongly against what it terms a “corporate hit job” engineered by Cobrapost — a digital media platform that has been inactive since 2019. The company released a comprehensive media statement alleging that Cobrapost’s sudden reappearance was funded and motivated by certain corporate entities with vested interests in depressing Reliance Group’s stock prices.
The official release stated that the alleged campaign by Cobrapost was designed to create panic among investors and trigger a loss of confidence in the group’s listed entities. According to Reliance, the so-called exposé by Cobrapost was merely a repackaging of old, publicly available information, previously examined by statutory authorities such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
“This so-called investigative attempt is nothing but a deliberate campaign of disinformation and character assassination,” the company said, claiming that the report contained no new revelations and was instead an organized effort to prejudice fair trial proceedings in matters that are still sub judice.
Reliance Group’s media release also made specific allegations against Aniruddha Bahal, founder of Cobrapost, accusing him of using coercive and unethical tactics to seek concessions under the pretext of journalism. The statement described these actions as a “criminal extortion attempt” aimed at blackmailing the Group into submission. “Such tactics are not only unethical but also criminal in nature. We will take all necessary legal action, including defamation and contempt proceedings,” it read.
The company further claimed that this smear campaign was part of a larger strategy by corporate rivals to crash stock prices and acquire valuable assets of Reliance Infrastructure and Reliance Power at throwaway prices. These assets include high-value infrastructure undertakings such as the BSES power distribution network in Delhi, the Mumbai Metro, and the 1,200 MW Rosa Power Project.
According to the release, the market capitalization of Reliance Infrastructure and Reliance Power has declined by over ₹15,000 crore in the past three months, driven by “speculative and rumor-based trading” allegedly fueled by the same vested interests.
In view of these developments, Reliance Infrastructure and Reliance Power have filed a formal complaint with SEBI, seeking an investigation into recent trading patterns and activities that may have undermined shareholder value. The company appealed to regulatory bodies to ensure fair market practices and protect investors from misinformation campaigns.
Reliance emphasized that both companies are debt-free, with strong balance sheets, a combined turnover exceeding ₹33,000 crore, and a shareholder base of over five million. The group reiterated its financial strength and its continued focus on long-term value creation in the energy and infrastructure sectors.
Industry experts have noted that this development underscores the growing friction between large conglomerates and independent digital platforms that claim to conduct investigative journalism. The case also raises questions about the ethical boundaries of media operations in sensitive financial matters.
Concluding its statement, the Reliance Group urged the media and public to rely on verified information published in official filings and audited reports. “We urge all investors and stakeholders to remain calm and not be misled by unverified or sensational claims. Shareholder protection and transparency remain our top priorities,” the company asserted.
The episode adds to the increasing debate on corporate reputation management and accountability in the age of digital influence, where narratives can be shaped overnight by social media and alternative media players. As the situation unfolds, the industry will be watching SEBI’s response to the complaint and whether Cobrapost issues a rebuttal or clarification in the coming days.