Karnataka HC.
Credit: DH Photo
Bengaluru: The High Court of Karnataka on Tuesday directed the union government to pass appropriate orders restraining the media from telecasting any false/defamatory statement against actress Harshavardini Ranya Rao and her stepfather, Director General of Police K Ramachandra Rao.
Ranya was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in a gold smuggling case on March 3.
Justice M Nagaprasanna passed this order after hearing two separate petitions filed by the actress' parents.
The petitioners contended that despite civil courts passing a restraining order, the media continues to paint the character of the accused in all colours, instead of dissemination of information about the ongoing investigation.
The petitioners cited the orders passed by the Delhi High Court directing the union government to pass appropriate orders restraining the media from publishing, printing and decimating confidential information from the charge sheet in a case.
Appearing for the union government, Deputy Solicitor General H Shanthi Bhushan informed the court that in the past, the union government had directed the media houses not to violate judicial orders passed in such cases.
Justice Nagaprasanna ordered notices to all parties, including the media houses, and adjourned the matter until April 8 for further consideration.
The court indicated that it may lay down guidelines, setting out precautions or safeguards to be taken by the investigation agencies in such situations.