Shahin Akhtar
The Karnataka High Court on 04th August, 2025 lifted a gag order imposed by a Bengaluru Civil Court, which had restricted media coverage of the Dharmasthala Mass Burial Case. The order was challenged by the YouTube Channel Kudla Rampage, who argued that the Civil Court’s decision was a breach of its Fundamental Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression.
The Civil Court had imposed the gag order after Harshendra Kumar D, a key figure associated with the Dharmasthala Temple, filed a lawsuit claiming that media reports were damaging his reputation. The suit claimed that media reports featuring allegations from a sanitation worker about mass burials in Dharmasthala were defamatory and could cause irreparable harm to the family’s reputation.
Kudla Rampage contended that the gag order was a prior restraint on public interest journalism, effectively silencing scrutiny of powerful institutions. The petition highlighted the importance of media freedom and the need for transparency in cases involving public interest.
The High Court’s decision to quash the gag order is a significant victory for media freedom. The Court emphasized that it had not expressed any opinion on the civil suit or criminal proceedings and kept all arguments open. The case will now be heard by the Trial Court, which will consider the points made by the High Court.
The Court’s decision highlights the need to strike a balance between safeguarding individual reputations and upholding the principles of a free press.
Case Name: Kudla Rampage v. Harshendra Kumar D. & Others
Case Number: W.P. No. 22528 of 2025
Bench: The Hon’ble Mr Justice M. Nagaprasanna
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