- LuLu Group says it will not withdraw the legal cases filed over alleged misinformation.
- Shajan Skariah has apologised to Yusuff Ali and reportedly acknowledged that some of his earlier allegations were incorrect.
- The company says it supports freedom of expression but draws a distinction between criticism and what it calls deliberate falsehoods.
LuLu Group has said it will not withdraw its legal cases over alleged misinformation targeting its chairman, MA Yusuff Ali, despite an apology from Malayalam YouTuber Shajan Skariah.
The UAE-based retail group says it respects freedom of speech and the right to question or criticize, but will not accept what it describes as deliberate false allegations intended to damage its reputation. The position was reiterated by LuLu Group Communications Director V Nandakumar in comments to the media on Monday (2) and Tuesday (3).
“Zero Tolerance. No Compromise,” the company said in a statement, drawing a distinction between freedom of expression and the spread of misinformation.
“Everyone has the right to an opinion. We respect freedom of speech, including the right to question, disagree and criticise. But deliberate false allegations, fake news and misinformation intended to malign cannot be passed off as a point of view,” it said.
The statement also underlined the scale of the business and its workforce. LuLu described itself as a “home and a family” for more than 75,000 employees, saying their livelihoods, dedication and decades of trust were connected to the group's name.
What did Shajan Skariah say in his apology?
Skariah, founder of the Malayalam digital news platform Marunadan Malayalee, issued an apology to Yusuff Ali in a video published on October 31. He said he had realised that his earlier remarks were incorrect and was withdrawing them.
The remarks related to a video published in November 2020 that made allegations against Yusuff Ali in connection with the gold smuggling case involving the UAE Consulate in Thiruvananthapuram. Skariah said he had not intended to personally insult or defame the LuLu chairman.
The apology followed legal action initiated by Yusuff Ali over the allegations. The dispute has involved defamation proceedings, including a claim seeking Rs 10 crore in damages.
Why is LuLu Group refusing to withdraw the cases?
Nandakumar said the apology would not change the company's decision to pursue the legal proceedings. He told reporters that LuLu would not consider an out-of-court settlement and would rely on the Indian legal system to address the matter.
The communications director also said cases had been filed in different places, not only in Kerala, and that the group would contest allegations against its chairman and brand through legal channels.
For LuLu, the issue is not simply whether an apology has been made. Its public position is that criticism and disagreement are part of free expression, but claims it considers deliberately false should carry legal accountability.
The company's statement repeated that it would not backtrack on the cases or withdraw them. The proceedings will therefore continue despite Skariah's public apology, leaving the courts to determine the legal issues.
LuLu Group Communications Director V Nandakumar said the company would continue with the cases even if those accused of spreading false information apologised. He also ruled out an out-of-court settlement, saying the group had confidence in India's legal system.
The company's position is that an apology does not automatically bring the dispute to an end. It wants the allegations addressed through the legal process, rather than settled privately.
LuLu Group International is a UAE-based conglomerate founded by Yusuff Ali, with interests spanning retail, shopping malls, food processing, wholesale distribution and hospitality. The company says it has more than 75,000 employees, a figure it invoked in its statement to underline the wider workforce behind its business and brand.
For now, the group has made its position clear: it supports the right to question and criticize, but says it will pursue legal action over allegations it considers deliberately false. Skariah's apology has not changed that decision.
