Renukaswamy murder case: Karnataka HC restrains media from publishing chargesheet details against Darshan

The restriction will remain in place until the next hearing.

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday passed an interim order restraining the media organisations from publishing, printing and airing content of the charge sheet in the Renukaswamy murder case. Justice Hemant Chandanagoudar passed this order after hearing the petition filed by Sandalwood actor Darshan Thoogudeepa Srinivas, accused number two in the case.

“Respondents 3 to 40 (media organizations) are hereby restrained from publishing, printing, airing and disseminating confidential information contained in the charge sheet in relation to crime No 0250/2024 registered by the Kamakshipalya Police Station, till the next date of hearing. Respondent No 1 (Ministry of Information and Broadcasting) to communicate this order to respondents 3 to 40. Needless to state that respondent No. 1 to take appropriate action against respondents 3 to 40, if they telecast, print, air or publish any statements in violation of the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994,” the court said.

At the hearing, senior advocate Prabhulinga Navadgi, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that Darshan’s wife had filed a suit seeking permanent injunction against the media. The civil court by an order dated August 27, 2024, had passed an ex-parte ad-interim temporary injunction restraining the media organisations from airing, printing and publishing any statement in relation to any statement about the final report, confessional statements and holding debate/discussion/interview on the final report pertaining to the FIR pending adjudication before the 24th ACMM Court, Bengaluru. He said that in spite of this order, the media continued to air, print, publish and disseminate the confidential information contained in the charge sheet.

The counsel further said that pursuant to the direction issued by a division bench of the high court, the state government had issued a circular on August 11, 2021. In this circular, the police personnel were barred from briefing and disclosing to the print, electronic and social media about the nature of the investigation under progress, the materials collected during the investigation, before completion of the entire investigation and before acceptance of the final report of the investigation by the competent jurisdictional court.

He said that in an identical circumstance, the Delhi High Court had directed the union government to pass appropriate orders to media organisations from publishing, printing and disseminating confidential information contained in the charge sheet in the case at hand and to ensure that the guidelines issued in such circumstances be complied with.

Additional Solicitor General Aravind Kamath, appearing for the union government, submitted that an appropriate action will be taken in accordance with law if a complaint is filed.